CVE-2025-21101 in Display Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 01/15/2025
Dell Display Manager, versions prior to 2.3.2.20, contain a race condition vulnerability. A local malicious user could potentially exploit this vulnerability during installation, leading to arbitrary folder or file deletion.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-21101 affects Dell Display Manager software versions prior to 2.3.2.20 and represents a race condition flaw that creates significant security risks during the installation process. This type of vulnerability occurs when multiple processes or threads attempt to access and modify system resources simultaneously, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit timing gaps in the software's execution flow. The race condition specifically manifests during the installation phase, where the software's handling of temporary files and directory structures creates exploitable conditions that could be leveraged by local attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper synchronization mechanisms within the Dell Display Manager installation routine. When the software executes installation procedures, it fails to adequately coordinate access to critical system resources, allowing a malicious user to manipulate the installation process at precisely the right moment. This timing discrepancy enables the attacker to potentially delete arbitrary folders or files that the installation process would normally create or modify. The vulnerability is classified as a local privilege escalation issue since it requires local system access but can result in significant system compromise through unauthorized file deletion operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates serious risks for organizations relying on Dell Display Manager for display configuration and management. The ability to delete arbitrary files during installation could lead to complete system instability, removal of critical system components, or disruption of legitimate software operations. Attackers could potentially target system directories, configuration files, or even security-related components to create persistent access points or disable legitimate system functionality. The vulnerability's exploitation potential extends beyond simple deletion, as it could be combined with other techniques to create more sophisticated attack vectors within the target environment.
Security practitioners should immediately prioritize patching affected Dell Display Manager installations to version 2.3.2.20 or later, which contains the necessary synchronization fixes to address the race condition. Organizations should implement comprehensive inventory management to identify all affected systems and ensure prompt remediation across their enterprise environments. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-367, which specifically addresses time-of-check to time-of-use race conditions, and could be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through installation processes. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring installation processes can help detect potential exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that no malicious modifications have occurred during the installation window.