CVE-2026-23501 in RecoverPoint
Summary
by MITRE • 08/19/2026
Dell RecoverPoint for VMs, versions 6.0.3 and 6.0.3.1, contains an Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') vulnerability. A high privileged attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Command execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2026
The identified security flaw resides within Dell RecoverPoint for VMs software, specifically affecting versions 6.0.3 and 6.0.3.1. This vulnerability is classified as an Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command, commonly referred to as OS command injection or CWE-78. The core technical issue stems from the application's failure to adequately sanitize user-supplied input before it is passed to underlying operating system commands. When a high privileged attacker with remote access interacts with the vulnerable component, they can inject malicious shell metacharacters or sequences into these inputs. Because the software does not properly validate or escape these special elements, the injected code is interpreted and executed by the host operating system rather than being treated as literal data. This lack of input validation allows an attacker to manipulate the intended command structure, effectively bypassing application-level controls to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges associated with the RecoverPoint service account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to the high privilege level required for exploitation and the resulting capability for remote code execution. An authenticated attacker who has obtained valid credentials or otherwise gained access to the management interface can leverage this flaw to gain full control over the underlying host system. This compromise extends beyond the RecoverPoint application itself, potentially allowing the attacker to pivot to other systems within the network, exfiltrate sensitive data protected by the replication software, or disrupt critical business continuity operations managed by Dell RecoverPoint. The ability to execute commands remotely means that an adversary can install backdoors, modify configurations, or destroy data replicas, thereby undermining the integrity and availability guarantees that the product is designed to provide.
From a threat intelligence perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically regarding OS command execution via injection vectors. It also relates to CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command, which highlights the fundamental coding error where developers fail to distinguish between code and data during command construction. The exploitation path typically involves identifying input fields that are directly concatenated into system calls without proper escaping or parameterized execution methods. Attackers often utilize this technique as part of a broader attack chain to establish persistence or escalate privileges further within the compromised environment, making it a critical risk for organizations relying on these versions for their disaster recovery strategies.
Mitigation efforts should prioritize immediate patching to the latest supported version of Dell RecoverPoint for VMs where this issue has been resolved through improved input validation and secure coding practices. In scenarios where immediate patching is not feasible due to operational constraints, administrators should implement strict network segmentation to restrict access to the management interfaces from untrusted networks or hosts. Additionally, enforcing multi-factor authentication and adhering to the principle of least privilege for all accounts with remote access can significantly reduce the attack surface. Monitoring logs for unusual command execution patterns or unexpected system calls may also aid in early detection of exploitation attempts while longer-term remediation strategies are deployed.