CVE-2026-82155 in OS Recovery Tool
Summary
by MITRE • 11/03/2026
Dell OS Recovery tool versions, prior to 2.4.4, contain a use of Untrusted Search Path vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker with local access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Command execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2026
The Dell OS Recovery Tool is a utility designed to assist users in recovering or reinstalling the operating system on their devices when standard recovery methods fail. Versions prior to 2.4.4 are susceptible to an Untrusted Search Path vulnerability, which falls under CWE-427 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. This type of flaw occurs when software constructs a path for searching files without properly validating or restricting the directories that are searched. In this specific instance, the application likely relies on environment variables such as PATH or similar mechanisms to locate necessary executables or libraries during its execution process. Because the search paths are not strictly defined or secured against modification by other processes running with lower privileges, an attacker can manipulate these paths to redirect the tool toward malicious files instead of legitimate system components.
An unauthenticated attacker who has gained local access to a vulnerable device can exploit this vulnerability to achieve arbitrary command execution. The attack vector typically involves placing a malicious executable in one of the directories that appear earlier in the search path than the intended target directory. When the Dell OS Recovery Tool runs and attempts to invoke a specific system utility or library, it inadvertently executes the attacker-controlled file instead. This privilege escalation allows the adversary to run code with the same privileges as the user running the recovery tool. If the victim is an administrator, this results in full control over the operating system, enabling data theft, installation of persistent malware, lateral movement within a network, or complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate local exploitation. Since OS Recovery tools often run with elevated privileges to perform low-level disk operations and system modifications, successful exploitation grants an attacker significant authority. This can lead to the exfiltration of sensitive data stored on the device, including user credentials, financial information, or proprietary corporate data. Furthermore, it undermines the integrity of the recovery process itself, potentially allowing attackers to install backdoors that persist even after a standard OS reinstall if not properly addressed at the firmware or bootloader level. The trust placed in system utilities by end-users and IT administrators makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as users may unknowingly execute compromised tools believing them to be safe.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve updating the Dell OS Recovery Tool to version 2.4.4 or later, where these path validation issues have been resolved. Organizations should enforce strict software update policies to ensure that all endpoints are running patched versions of system utilities. Additionally, implementing application control solutions such as Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) or AppLocker can help prevent the execution of unauthorized binaries in critical directories. Security teams should also monitor for unusual process creation events involving recovery tools and validate file signatures using code signing certificates to ensure that only trusted executables are allowed to run. Regular audits of environment variables and search paths on managed devices can further reduce the risk of path traversal attacks by ensuring that untrusted directories are not included in system-wide or user-specific PATH settings.