CVE-2026-101216 in Unisphere for PowerMax vApp
Summary
by MITRE • 10/14/2026
Dell Unisphere for PowerMax vApp, version(s) 9.2.4.x, contain(s) an Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') vulnerability. A high privileged attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Remote execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2026
The identified vulnerability within Dell Unisphere for PowerMax vApp versions 9.2.4.x represents a critical security flaw classified as Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command, commonly known as Command Injection. This type of vulnerability arises when an application constructs system commands using user-supplied input without adequately sanitizing or validating that data before execution. In the context of Unisphere for PowerMax, which serves as the primary management interface for Dell EMC PowerMax storage systems, such a flaw allows an attacker to inject malicious command sequences into legitimate administrative operations. The severity of this issue is compounded by its classification under CWE-78, highlighting the fundamental failure in input validation that permits external control over system-level processes.
Exploitation of this vulnerability requires specific conditions regarding access and privilege levels. A high privileged attacker with remote network access to the Unisphere interface can leverage this flaw to achieve Remote Code Execution on the underlying host operating system running the vApp. This means that once an authenticated user with elevated privileges submits crafted input through any vulnerable parameter or field, the backend application processes this input as part of a shell command rather than treating it as simple data. Consequently, the attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary commands with the same permissions as the service account running the Unisphere vApp. This capability effectively bypasses standard authentication and authorization controls at the operating system level, granting full control over the management infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for complete compromise of the storage management environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this command injection can read sensitive configuration files, exfiltrate data from connected storage arrays, modify access controls, or install persistent backdoors within the vApp container and host system. Since Unisphere manages critical enterprise storage resources, compromising it could lead to unauthorized modification of volume mappings, deletion of logical units, or disruption of services for downstream applications relying on the PowerMax array. Furthermore, because the vulnerability allows remote execution, an attacker can potentially pivot from this compromised management node into other parts of the internal network if lateral movement paths exist, escalating the risk beyond just the storage infrastructure to encompass broader enterprise systems.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate patching and strict access control enforcement. Dell has released updates for Unisphere for PowerMax vApp versions 9.2.4.x that address this command injection flaw by implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms before commands are passed to the operating system shell. Organizations should prioritize applying these vendor-provided patches as soon as possible to close the security gap. In addition to patching, it is crucial to enforce strict network segmentation policies to limit remote access to Unisphere interfaces only from trusted management networks or jump hosts with multi-factor authentication enabled. Regular audits of administrative accounts and monitoring for unusual command execution patterns can also help detect potential exploitation attempts before significant damage occurs.
From a threat intelligence perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically where attackers use operating system utilities to execute commands remotely. The scenario described reflects common attack vectors seen in enterprise management consoles where insufficient separation of duties or overly permissive service accounts exacerbate the risk. Security teams should review their current configurations against CWE-78 guidelines to ensure that all external inputs are treated as untrusted and strictly validated using allow-listing techniques rather than relying on block lists which may be bypassed by obfuscation techniques. Maintaining up-to-date software components and adhering to least privilege principles for service accounts running management applications like Unisphere are essential practices to prevent similar command injection vulnerabilities in the future.