CVE-2026-81472 in iDRAC Service Module for Windows
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2026
Dell iDRAC Service Module (iSM) for Windows, Dell iDRAC Service Module (iSM) for Linux, and Dell iDRAC Service Module (iSM) for ESXi, versions prior to 6.1.1.0, contains an Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') vulnerability. A high privileged attacker with local access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Elevation of privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2026
The Dell iDRAC Service Module (iSM) serves as a critical component in the management infrastructure for Dell servers across Windows, Linux, and ESXi environments. It facilitates communication between the operating system and the Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller, enabling remote hardware monitoring, configuration, and firmware updates. Versions of this module prior to 6.1.1.0 contain a significant security flaw classified as Improper Control of Generation of Code, commonly referred to as code injection. This vulnerability arises from insufficient validation or sanitization of inputs within the service module's processing logic, allowing an attacker who has already gained local access with high privileges to manipulate how the system generates or executes code. The presence of this flaw indicates a failure in implementing robust input handling mechanisms that are standard for privileged software components interacting with low-level hardware interfaces.
From a technical perspective, the core issue lies in the module's inability to properly control the generation of executable content based on user-supplied data. When an attacker possesses local administrative or equivalent high-privilege access, they can craft specific inputs that bypass existing checks and inject malicious code into the execution flow of the iSM process. This injection allows the attacker to execute arbitrary commands within the context of the service module, which typically runs with elevated system privileges. The vulnerability is not remote exploitable; it strictly requires local presence on the server where the vulnerable version of the iSM is installed. However, once local access is achieved by a high-privileged user or an account compromised through other means, the barrier to further compromise is significantly lowered due to this code injection capability.
The operational impact of exploiting this vulnerability is severe, primarily resulting in Elevation of Privileges. By successfully injecting and executing malicious code, an attacker can escalate their access level from that of a standard high-privileged user or service account to full system control. This escalation grants the ability to modify critical system configurations, install persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data stored on the server, or pivot further into the network via the iDRAC interface itself. Since the iSM interacts directly with hardware management features, compromising it can also lead to physical-level disruptions such as unauthorized reboots, firmware tampering, or denial of service conditions that affect the availability of the underlying server infrastructure. The risk is compounded by the fact that many organizations rely on these modules for automated monitoring and maintenance scripts, potentially increasing the attack surface if those automation accounts are compromised.
In terms of industry standards, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-94 Improper Control of Generation of Code (Code Injection), which describes flaws where software constructs code from externally influenced inputs without proper neutralization. It also maps to MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to Privilege Escalation and Command Line Interface abuse, specifically reflecting behaviors associated with local privilege escalation through injection attacks. The exploitation path typically involves lateral movement or initial access followed by this specific technique to gain deeper control over the host system.
To mitigate this risk, organizations must immediately update the Dell iDRAC Service Module on all affected Windows, Linux, and ESXi hosts to version 6.1.1.0 or later, where these input validation controls have been strengthened. Regular patch management cycles should be enforced for server-side agents that interact with out-of-band management controllers. Additionally, access control policies should restrict local administrative privileges to only those users who strictly require them, reducing the pool of potential attackers capable of attempting exploitation. Monitoring tools should be configured to detect unusual process creation or code execution patterns originating from iSM-related processes, providing an additional layer of defense in depth against successful injection attempts.