CVE-2026-80126 in Secure Connect Gateway
Summary
by MITRE • 09/07/2026
Dell SCG 5.0 Appliance versions prior to 5.36.00.16 and Dell SCG 5.0 Application versions prior to 5.36.00.00, contains an Improper Locking vulnerability. A low privileged attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to filesystem access for attacker.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2026
The identified security flaw resides within Dell SCG 5.0 Appliance versions prior to build 5.36.00.16 and the corresponding Application versions prior to 5.36.00.00, representing a critical failure in concurrency control mechanisms known as Improper Locking. This vulnerability stems from insufficient synchronization of shared resources during multi-threaded operations or concurrent user sessions within the storage controller software. When multiple processes attempt to access or modify sensitive system files or configuration states simultaneously without proper mutual exclusion locks, race conditions can occur. These race conditions allow an attacker who has already obtained low-privileged remote access to manipulate the timing of these operations, effectively bypassing intended security boundaries and gaining unauthorized control over filesystem structures that should remain restricted.
From a technical perspective, this flaw aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-362, which defines concurrent execution using shared resources with improper synchronization. The absence of robust locking mechanisms means that the application does not correctly serialize access to critical data segments or file system metadata. An attacker leveraging remote network connectivity can send specifically crafted requests designed to trigger these race conditions at precise intervals. By exploiting the window of vulnerability between a check for permissions and the subsequent action, the attacker can escalate privileges beyond their assigned role. This is particularly dangerous in storage environments where integrity and availability are paramount, as it allows direct interaction with underlying file systems that host sensitive configuration data or potentially other tenants' information in multi-tenant deployments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly beyond simple privilege escalation. Once an attacker achieves filesystem access through the exploitation of improper locking, they can read, modify, or delete critical system files. This capability compromises the confidentiality and integrity of the storage infrastructure. Attackers could exfiltrate sensitive configuration data, including encryption keys, network settings, or user credentials stored in plaintext within certain log or config files. Furthermore, modification of these files could lead to service disruption by corrupting essential components required for normal appliance operation, effectively resulting in a denial of service condition. In severe cases, persistent backdoors could be installed if the attacker gains write access to executable directories, leading to long-term compromise and potential lateral movement within the broader network infrastructure connected to the storage array.
This vulnerability is also relevant to MITRE ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion. Specifically, it relates to T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where attackers leverage software vulnerabilities to gain higher-level permissions. The exploitation method may involve timing attacks or race condition exploits which can be categorized under T1434 Internal Network Discovery if the attacker uses the gained access to map out further network resources. Understanding these mappings helps security teams prioritize detection rules and incident response procedures focused on monitoring for unusual file system activity originating from low-privileged accounts, particularly during periods of high concurrent load when race conditions are more likely to succeed.
Mitigation strategies must focus primarily on immediate patching as the vendor has released updated versions that address the synchronization issues within the application logic. Administrators should upgrade Dell SCG 5.0 Appliance software to version 5.36.00.16 or later and ensure the Application component is also at version 5.36.00.00 or higher. Until patches are applied, organizations should enforce strict network segmentation policies to limit remote access to only authorized management stations using strong authentication methods such as multi-factor authentication. Additionally, implementing robust intrusion detection systems that monitor for anomalous file system changes and unusual concurrent connection patterns can help detect exploitation attempts in real-time. Regular auditing of user permissions ensures that low-privileged accounts have the minimum necessary rights, reducing the potential impact if a vulnerability is successfully exploited.