CVE-2026-49499 in PowerProtect Data Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 07/22/2026
Dell PowerProtect Data Manager, versions prior to 20.2.0.0, contain(s) a Generation of Incorrect Security Tokens vulnerability in the IAM. A low privileged attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Elevation of privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2026
The Dell PowerProtect Data Manager represents a critical data protection solution that safeguards enterprise environments against data loss and cyber threats through comprehensive backup and recovery capabilities. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 20.2.0.0 and specifically targets the Identity and Access Management component within the system architecture. The flaw manifests as a generation of incorrect security tokens that fundamentally undermines the authentication and authorization mechanisms governing user access controls. When exploited, this weakness allows attackers with minimal privileges to manipulate token creation processes and subsequently escalate their privileges to gain unauthorized administrative access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and generation procedures within the IAM subsystem where security tokens are created to authenticate user sessions and authorize system operations. The flaw typically occurs during token issuance when the system fails to properly validate input parameters or enforce appropriate access controls during the token creation workflow. This misconfiguration creates a path for attackers to generate valid-looking tokens that bypass normal authentication checks, effectively allowing unauthorized users to assume elevated privileges within the system environment. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper certificate validation and weak session management practices that enable privilege escalation attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on Dell PowerProtect Data Manager for their data protection infrastructure. Attackers exploiting this weakness could potentially access sensitive backup data, modify backup policies, or even delete critical backup repositories. The remote exploitation capability means that threat actors do not require physical access or insider knowledge to compromise the system. The low privilege requirement for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with minimal initial access to gain complete administrative control over the backup infrastructure, potentially leading to extended data breaches and operational disruptions.
The security implications extend beyond immediate privilege escalation as compromised backup systems can serve as attack vectors for broader network infiltration. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, data loss incidents, and significant financial impacts when backup infrastructure becomes compromised. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate backup schedules, disable protection mechanisms, or establish persistence within the environment through backup system access. Mitigation strategies must include immediate deployment of the 20.2.0.0 patch release that addresses the token generation flaw and implementation of additional monitoring controls around authentication events and privilege changes.
Organizations should implement comprehensive network segmentation to limit access to the PowerProtect Data Manager systems and establish strict access control policies for administrative functions. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust identity management practices. Security teams should conduct thorough assessments of their backup infrastructure to identify similar weaknesses and ensure proper monitoring of authentication logs for suspicious token generation patterns. Additionally, organizations may need to consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms and privileged access management solutions to reduce the impact of potential credential compromise incidents that could arise from this vulnerability. The flaw also highlights the necessity of regular security testing and vulnerability assessments as part of comprehensive cybersecurity programs to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.