CVE-2026-54796 in OpenManage Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE • 08/19/2026
Dell OpenManage Enterprise, versions prior to 4.7.0, 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.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2026
The identified security flaw resides within Dell OpenManage Enterprise software versions preceding the 4.7.0 release and is classified as a critical command injection vulnerability. This specific issue stems from an improper neutralization of special elements used in operating system commands, commonly referred to as OS Command Injection or CWE-78. The core technical deficiency involves insufficient validation or sanitization of user-supplied input before it is passed directly to the underlying operating system for execution. When a high privileged attacker with remote access interacts with vulnerable endpoints within this management suite, they can inject malicious command sequences into these inputs. Because the application processes these inputs without adequate safeguards, the injected commands are executed by the server process itself, which typically runs with elevated privileges necessary for hardware and firmware management tasks.
The operational impact of exploiting this vulnerability is severe due to the high privilege level required for exploitation and the resulting capability for arbitrary command execution. An attacker who gains remote access through compromised credentials or other means can leverage this flaw to execute system-level commands on the Dell OpenManage Enterprise server. This effectively results in a complete compromise of the management infrastructure, allowing the adversary to read sensitive configuration data, modify system settings, install backdoors, or pivot further into the connected network environment. The ability to execute arbitrary code under high privilege levels means that traditional security controls such as firewalls and access control lists may be bypassed if the attacker has already established a foothold within the management VLAN or subnet.
From an industry standards perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command and is often associated with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation. In terms of tactical mapping to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, exploitation typically falls under Initial Access via Valid Accounts followed by Execution through Command and Scripting Interpreter techniques such as T1059 or T1610 depending on the specific payload delivered. The vulnerability highlights a common pattern in enterprise management software where convenience features that allow for direct system interaction are implemented without rigorous input sanitization protocols, creating significant risk vectors when exposed to remote networks.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate patching of all affected Dell OpenManage Enterprise instances to version 4.7.0 or later, which addresses the underlying code defects responsible for this injection flaw. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible due to operational constraints, network segmentation should be enforced to restrict access to the management interface exclusively from trusted administrative subnets using strict firewall rules and multi-factor authentication mechanisms. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with specific rule sets designed to detect command injection patterns can provide a layer of defense in depth by blocking malicious payloads before they reach the vulnerable application logic. Regular security audits and code reviews focusing on input validation practices are recommended to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced during future development cycles or custom integrations within the management platform ecosystem.