CVE-2026-91895 in Alienware Command Center
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2026
Dell Alienware Command Center (AWCC), versions prior to 6.14.54.0, contain an Incorrect Default Permissions vulnerability. A low privileged attacker with local access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Information Tampering.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2026
The Dell Alienware Command Center software suite, specifically versions preceding the release of version 6.14.54.0, contains a critical security flaw classified as an Incorrect Default Permissions issue. This vulnerability stems from improper configuration of file system or registry access controls within the application's installation directory and associated data stores. When such permissions are set too broadly, they inadvertently grant write or modify capabilities to users who should only possess read-only or execution privileges. In this specific instance, low-privileged local accounts on a Windows operating system can alter critical components of the Alienware Command Center environment without requiring administrative elevation. This misconfiguration represents a fundamental failure in implementing the principle of least privilege, allowing standard user processes to interact with sensitive application files and settings that are intended for exclusive use by elevated processes or administrators.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability enables an attacker who has already gained local access to the system through legitimate means or initial exploitation vectors such as phishing or malware execution to manipulate core configuration files of the Alienware Command Center. These files often control hardware monitoring parameters, lighting effects profiles, fan speed curves, and performance modes for high-performance gaming laptops and desktops. By tampering with these configurations, an attacker can force system components into unstable states, potentially causing thermal throttling issues or preventing proper cooling mechanisms from engaging correctly during heavy loads. Furthermore, the ability to modify application settings allows for persistent changes that survive reboots, effectively establishing a foothold within the user's customized environment without triggering standard administrative alerts associated with privilege escalation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration alteration and touches upon system stability and data integrity. An attacker leveraging this flaw can engage in information tampering by corrupting performance profiles or hardware control parameters, which may lead to unpredictable system behavior under load. While the primary classification is Information Tampering rather than direct code execution, the manipulation of low-level hardware controls poses a risk to physical device health if extreme settings are applied maliciously. Additionally, this vulnerability facilitates lateral movement within an organization where Dell Alienware devices are deployed in corporate environments or gaming cafes. An attacker could use modified configuration files as part of a broader attack chain to evade detection by security information and event management systems that rely on baseline configurations for anomaly detection.
This flaw aligns with CWE-276, which describes Incorrect Default Permissions, where the default permissions assigned during installation are overly permissive rather than restrictive. It also maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1083 File and Directory Discovery combined with T1562 Impair Defenses through modification of system configurations or security tools. The vulnerability highlights a common oversight in software development lifecycle processes where post-installation configuration hardening is not adequately enforced by the installer package itself. To mitigate this risk, Dell has released version 6.14.54.0 which corrects these permission settings to adhere to standard security baselines. Organizations and individual users should immediately update their Alienware Command Center installations to patched versions to restore proper access control boundaries. Until patches are applied, administrators can manually audit the permissions of key directories within the installation path using tools like icacls on Windows systems to restrict write access for non-administrative groups such as Users or Guests, thereby reducing the attack surface available to low-privileged actors.