CVE-2026-111501 in OpenManage Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2026
Dell OpenManage Enterprise, versions prior to 4.8.0, contains an Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker with adjacent network access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Launch of phishing attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2026
The vulnerability identified in Dell OpenManage Enterprise software versions preceding the release of version 4.8.0 represents a critical failure in authentication control mechanisms. This flaw is categorized under CWE-307, which denotes Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts, commonly known as brute force protection failures. The core technical issue lies within the application's handling of login requests from unauthenticated users accessing the system over an adjacent network segment. Instead of implementing robust rate-limiting algorithms or account lockout policies that trigger after a defined threshold of failed attempts, the software allows for continuous authentication trials without adequate countermeasures. This architectural deficiency enables malicious actors to systematically guess valid credentials through automated tools, significantly lowering the barrier for unauthorized access compared to systems with proper brute force mitigation in place.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential compromise due to its specific exploitation vector and potential downstream effects. An attacker positioned on a network adjacent to the management infrastructure can initiate persistent login attempts against the Dell OpenManage Enterprise interface. Once valid credentials are discovered through this exhaustive search, the immediate consequence is unauthorized administrative access to the server management platform. This level of access grants the adversary comprehensive control over hardware monitoring, firmware updates, and system configuration settings. The reference provided indicates that exploitation could lead to the launch of phishing attacks, suggesting a scenario where compromised accounts or infrastructure are leveraged as trusted sources for social engineering campaigns against internal users or external partners. By utilizing legitimate management credentials, attackers can craft highly convincing communications that bypass user skepticism regarding sender authenticity, thereby facilitating further infiltration into the enterprise network.
From an industry standard perspective, this vulnerability aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1110, which covers Brute Force attacks across various platforms and services. The lack of effective rate limiting also reflects a deviation from security best practices outlined in frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53, specifically control IA-5 (Authenticator Management) and AC-7 (Unsuccessful Logon Attempts). These standards emphasize the necessity for systems to detect and respond to unauthorized access attempts by locking accounts or imposing delays that render automated guessing impractical. The absence of these controls in earlier versions of Dell OpenManage Enterprise creates a predictable attack surface that security operations centers should monitor closely, particularly looking for spikes in authentication failures originating from single source IP addresses within the management network segment.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate remediation through software updates and supplementary defensive configurations. The primary corrective action is to upgrade Dell OpenManage Enterprise to version 4.8.0 or later, where these excessive authentication attempt restrictions have been addressed by the vendor. For environments where immediate patching is not feasible due to operational constraints, network-level controls should be implemented to mitigate risk. This includes configuring firewalls and intrusion prevention systems to detect and block repeated failed login attempts from specific IP addresses within a short timeframe. Additionally, enforcing multi-factor authentication for all administrative accounts adds a critical layer of defense that neutralizes the value of stolen credentials obtained through brute force attacks. Regular auditing of access logs is also recommended to identify any signs of ongoing exploitation or suspicious activity related to authentication processes before full remediation can be applied.