CVE-2026-81474 in OpenManage Server Administrator
Summary
by MITRE • 09/17/2026
Dell OpenManage Server Administrator, versions prior to 11.1.0.3, contains a Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability. A low privileged attacker with local access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Elevation of privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2026
The Dell OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA) is a comprehensive suite of management tools designed for monitoring and managing Dell PowerEdge servers. Versions prior to 11.1.0.3 contain a critical security flaw classified as a heap-based buffer overflow, which poses a significant risk to system integrity when local access is available. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of specific input data structures that are allocated on the program's dynamic memory pool, commonly referred to as the heap. The core technical issue stems from insufficient boundary checks during the processing of user-supplied or internally generated data streams. When a malicious actor provides an input string exceeding the expected buffer size, the application fails to validate the length before copying the data into the fixed-size allocated region. This lack of validation results in adjacent memory locations being overwritten with arbitrary data, corrupting heap metadata and control structures that govern program execution flow.
From a technical perspective, this flaw aligns closely with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) ID 120, which describes Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input. The exploitation mechanism typically involves crafting a specially formatted payload designed to overwrite the return address or function pointers stored on the heap. By carefully controlling the overflowed data, an attacker can manipulate the program's control flow to execute arbitrary code within the context of the running process. Since OMSA often runs with elevated privileges to perform hardware-level monitoring and configuration tasks, successfully exploiting this vulnerability allows a low-privileged user to escalate their rights significantly. This transition from standard user permissions to administrative or system-level access is categorized under CWE ID 269, Improper Privilege Management, as the attacker bypasses intended security restrictions through memory corruption rather than legitimate authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution. An attacker with local access can leverage this flaw to install malware, steal sensitive information such as credentials or configuration files, modify system settings, or create new accounts with administrative privileges. In enterprise environments where Dell servers are critical infrastructure components, the compromise of OMSA could lead to a broader breach of network security. The ability to elevate privileges means that an attacker can potentially pivot from a single compromised endpoint to other systems within the data center, facilitating lateral movement and persistent access. This scenario is consistent with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1068, Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where adversaries exploit software vulnerabilities to gain higher-level permissions necessary for further malicious activities.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate patching of the Dell OpenManage Server Administrator software to version 11.1.0.3 or later, as this release addresses the underlying memory management errors responsible for the heap overflow. Organizations should implement strict access controls to limit local login capabilities on server consoles and remote management interfaces, ensuring that only authorized personnel with verified identities can interact directly with these systems. Additionally, deploying host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) capable of monitoring abnormal memory allocation patterns or unexpected privilege changes can provide early warning indicators of exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify unpatched instances across the infrastructure, ensuring that all Dell servers are maintained at supported software levels to minimize exposure to known exploits.