CVE-2026-54472 in Container Storage Modules
Summary
by MITRE • 10/06/2026
Dell Container Storage Modules, versions prior to 1.18.0, contain(s) an Use of Hard-coded Credentials vulnerability in the csm-docs. An unauthenticated attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Information disclosure.9.8
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2026
The identified security flaw resides within Dell Container Storage Modules (CSM), specifically affecting versions released prior to 1.18.0. This vulnerability is classified as a Use of Hard-coded Credentials, which represents a critical failure in secure software design principles where authentication mechanisms rely on static, unchangeable credentials embedded directly into the source code or configuration files rather than dynamic, user-managed secrets. In this specific instance, the flaw is located within the csm-docs component, suggesting that documentation-related services or endpoints may be exposing administrative interfaces or internal APIs protected by these hardcoded values. The presence of such static credentials creates a significant attack surface because they are often visible in source code repositories, compiled binaries, or configuration files distributed with the software package, allowing any party with access to the deployment artifacts to discover them without needing to reverse engineer complex encryption schemes.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables unauthenticated attackers who possess remote network access to bypass authentication controls entirely. By leveraging these hardcoded credentials, an attacker can gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data that are not intended for public or external consumption. The primary impact of this exploitation is information disclosure, which allows the adversary to extract confidential data stored within the container storage infrastructure. This could include metadata about persistent volumes, configuration details regarding cluster topology, secrets management configurations, or potentially other sensitive operational metrics. Such exposure compromises the confidentiality integrity of the environment and can serve as a stepping stone for further lateral movement if the compromised credentials provide access to broader administrative controls beyond just documentation services.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, particularly those used for authentication or authorization that are not changeable by users. Furthermore, in terms of tactical behavior within a cyber kill chain, this exploitation technique corresponds to ATT&CK tactic T1078, Valid Accounts, where attackers leverage legitimate system accounts with hardcoded privileges to maintain access and move laterally without triggering typical anomaly detection systems designed for brute-force or credential stuffing attacks. The high severity rating reflects the ease of exploitation due to the lack of required authentication and the significant potential impact on data confidentiality within enterprise containerized environments.
To mitigate this risk, organizations running Dell Container Storage Modules versions prior to 1.18.0 should immediately upgrade to version 1.18.0 or later where these hardcoded credentials have been removed or replaced with secure dynamic secret management practices. Until the upgrade is performed, it is critical to ensure that the csm-docs component and associated services are not exposed to untrusted networks through firewalls or network segmentation policies. Access should be restricted strictly to trusted internal subnets using IP whitelisting if possible. Additionally, security teams should audit their environments for any other instances of hardcoded credentials in configuration files or source code as part of a broader remediation effort against CWE-798 weaknesses. Regular vulnerability scanning and static application security testing can help identify similar patterns in custom configurations to prevent recurrence.