CVE-2026-74770 in PowerProtect One
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2026
Dell PowerProtect One, versions 20.1.0.0 and below, contain an Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') vulnerability. A low privileged attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2026
The identified security flaw resides within Dell PowerProtect One software versions 20.1.0.0 and earlier, representing a critical failure in input validation mechanisms that classify as Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command. This vulnerability is technically categorized under the Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-78, which describes scenarios where user-supplied data is incorporated into operating system commands without adequate sanitization or escaping of special characters. The core technical issue involves a lack of rigorous boundary checking and context-aware encoding when processing inputs that are subsequently passed to underlying shell interpreters or command-line utilities. This architectural oversight allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary OS-level instructions by manipulating input fields, effectively bypassing intended application logic boundaries.
From an operational perspective, the severity of this vulnerability is significantly amplified by its exploitability vector and privilege requirements. The flaw can be leveraged by a low-privileged attacker who possesses remote access capabilities, meaning that physical presence or high-level administrative credentials are not prerequisites for exploitation. Once triggered, the injection mechanism facilitates direct code execution on the host system running PowerProtect One. This capability transforms what might otherwise be a data integrity issue into a full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. An attacker could potentially escalate privileges to gain control over critical backup infrastructure components, manipulate stored data, or use the compromised node as a pivot point for further lateral movement within the network environment.
The impact extends beyond immediate code execution to encompass broader organizational risks associated with enterprise storage solutions. PowerProtect One serves as a central hub for data protection and recovery operations; therefore, compromising its integrity can lead to unauthorized deletion of backups, insertion of ransomware payloads into backup archives, or exfiltration of sensitive information stored within the system. The ability to execute arbitrary commands means that an attacker could modify configuration files, install persistent backdoors, or disrupt service availability by terminating essential processes. This represents a severe threat to business continuity and data resilience strategies reliant on these systems for disaster recovery planning.
Mitigation efforts must prioritize immediate remediation through software updates provided by the vendor. Organizations should verify their current version of Dell PowerProtect One against the affected range and apply the latest security patches that address this input validation deficiency. In environments where patching is not immediately feasible, network segmentation strategies should be reviewed to ensure that management interfaces are accessible only from trusted subnets or through secure virtual private networks with strong authentication controls. Additionally, implementing strict web application firewall rules can help filter out known command injection patterns in HTTP requests targeting the affected service endpoints. Continuous monitoring of system logs for anomalous process executions originating from the PowerProtect One service account is also recommended to detect potential exploitation attempts early.
This vulnerability aligns with specific tactics and techniques within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to Command and Scripting Interpreter abuse and Remote Code Execution via injection flaws. Understanding this mapping helps security teams prioritize detection rules that look for unusual command-line arguments or unexpected child processes spawned by application services. By addressing CWE-78 through both technical patching and defensive monitoring, organizations can restore the trustworthiness of their data protection infrastructure and prevent unauthorized remote code execution scenarios.