CVE-2024-49600 in Power Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 12/09/2024
Dell Power Manager (DPM), versions prior to 3.17, contain an improper access control vulnerability. A low privileged attacker with local access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Code execution and Elevation of Privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-49600 affects Dell Power Manager version 3.16 and earlier, representing a critical improper access control flaw that undermines the security posture of enterprise computing environments. This vulnerability resides within Dell Power Manager, a system management tool designed to optimize power consumption and manage hardware resources across Dell enterprise devices. The flaw stems from inadequate authorization checks within the software's privilege management mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a low privileged attacker with local system access, which aligns with attack patterns documented in the attack mitigation framework. The flaw allows an attacker to bypass expected access controls and gain elevated privileges that should normally be restricted to system administrators or trusted processes. This improper access control vulnerability is categorized under CWE-284, which specifically addresses inadequate access control mechanisms in software systems. The attack vector typically involves leveraging local access to manipulate system calls or process interactions within Dell Power Manager, potentially leading to privilege escalation through direct manipulation of system resources.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise security environments where Dell Power Manager is deployed across multiple devices. The ability to achieve code execution and privilege escalation means that an attacker could potentially install malicious software, modify system configurations, or access sensitive data stored on affected systems. The vulnerability affects organizations using Dell hardware management solutions, particularly those implementing centralized power management strategies. The attack surface expands beyond individual systems to encompass entire device fleets managed through Dell Power Manager, creating cascading security implications for enterprise infrastructure.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through the installation of Dell Power Manager version 3.17 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the improper access control vulnerability. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected systems and implement monitoring for suspicious activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The mitigation strategy should include network segmentation to limit local access privileges, regular security audits of system management tools, and implementation of principle of least privilege controls for all system management applications. Additionally, organizations should review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability could serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within enterprise environments.