CVE-2026-86389 in PowerProtect Data Domain
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2026
Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, Feature Release versions 7.7.1.0 through 8.8, LTS2024 release versions 7.13.1.0 through 7.13.1.80, LTS2025 release versions 8.3.1.0 through 8.3.1.40, LTS2026 release versions 8.6.1.0 through 8.6.1.20, contain an Integer Overflow or Wraparound vulnerability. A high privileged attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2026
The identified security flaw resides within Dell PowerProtect Data Domain systems across multiple software release branches including Feature Releases 7.7.1.0 through 8.8 and various Long Term Support releases spanning from LTS2024 version 7.13.1.0 up to 7.13.1.80, as well as LTS2025 versions 8.3.1.0 through 8.3.1.40 and LTS2026 versions 8.6.1.0 through 8.6.1.20. This vulnerability is classified fundamentally as an integer overflow or wraparound error, a category of software defect where arithmetic operations exceed the maximum value that can be stored in a fixed-size integer variable. When such an operation occurs without proper bounds checking or type casting to a larger data type, the result wraps around to a small positive number or negative value rather than triggering an exception. In the context of memory management and buffer allocation within the Data Domain operating system, this miscalculation can lead to the allocation of significantly less memory than intended by the application logic.
From a technical perspective, integer overflow vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they often bypass standard input validation mechanisms that rely on size checks performed before the arithmetic operation takes place. If an attacker can influence the operands involved in these calculations through remote network requests or API calls, they may cause the system to allocate a buffer of insufficient size while subsequently writing data based on the original, larger expected size. This discrepancy creates a classic heap-based buffer overflow condition where excess data overwrites adjacent memory structures such as function pointers, exception handlers, or other critical control data within the process space. The presence of this flaw indicates that specific code paths handling input parameters related to storage operations, metadata processing, or network protocol parsing lack rigorous validation for integer boundaries before proceeding with memory allocation and subsequent data manipulation routines.
The operational impact of exploiting this vulnerability is severe due to the privilege requirements and the resulting attack vector. Although exploitation requires a high-privileged attacker who already possesses remote access capabilities, the ability to achieve arbitrary code execution fundamentally compromises the integrity and availability of the backup infrastructure. Once an attacker successfully triggers the overflow and gains control over program flow via overwritten return addresses or function pointers, they can execute malicious payloads with the same privileges as the vulnerable service process. This could allow for further lateral movement within the network, exfiltration of sensitive backed-up data stored on the appliance, modification or deletion of critical backup sets leading to ransomware-style destruction of recovery points, and complete compromise of the storage infrastructure's security posture. The risk is amplified by the fact that Data Domain appliances often hold immutable copies of organizational data making them high-value targets for threat actors seeking persistent access or leverage against broader enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate patching to address this critical flaw within the affected software versions. Administrators should upgrade Dell PowerProtect Data Domain systems to a version outside the specified vulnerable ranges, ensuring that all patches provided by Dell Technologies are applied promptly according to their security advisory guidelines. In scenarios where immediate patching is not feasible due to operational constraints or compatibility testing requirements, network segmentation and access control lists should be strictly enforced to restrict remote administrative access exclusively to trusted management networks and authorized personnel with verified high-level credentials. Additionally, enabling enhanced logging and monitoring for unusual memory allocation patterns or abnormal process behavior can aid in the detection of attempted exploitation activities. Organizations must also review their incident response plans to account for potential compromise scenarios involving backup infrastructure, ensuring that recovery procedures are robust against both external attacks and internal misuse facilitated by such vulnerabilities. Continuous vulnerability management programs should include regular scanning and assessment of all connected storage devices to maintain visibility into emerging threats targeting enterprise data protection platforms.