CVE-2026-91910 in OpenManage Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2026
Dell OpenManage Enterprise, versions prior to 4.8.0, contains an Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability. A low privileged attacker with adjacent network access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Information exposure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2026
The identified security flaw resides within Dell OpenManage Enterprise software versions prior to 4.8.0 and is classified as an Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. This category of vulnerability allows attackers to access files and directories that are stored outside the web root folder, typically by manipulating variables that reference files with dot-dot-slash sequences such as ..../ or other variations depending on the system configuration. In this specific instance, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before using it in file operations, thereby failing to enforce strict boundaries around restricted directories where sensitive system configurations, logs, or credential stores may be located.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of path inputs provided by users through the web interface or API endpoints managed by OpenManage Enterprise. When an attacker constructs a request containing maliciously crafted pathname sequences, the underlying operating system resolves these paths relative to the current working directory rather than restricting access to the intended application-specific folder. This lack of canonicalization checks allows the traversal mechanism to escape the designated sandbox and reach higher-level directories within the file system hierarchy. The exploitation requires only low-privileged user credentials and adjacent network access, which significantly lowers the barrier for entry compared to remote unauthenticated attacks but still poses a substantial risk given that many enterprise environments rely on internal networks where lateral movement is feasible once initial foothold is gained.
The operational impact of this vulnerability centers primarily on information exposure rather than direct code execution or system compromise in its immediate form. An attacker who successfully exploits this path traversal flaw can read sensitive files from the server hosting Dell OpenManage Enterprise. These files may contain configuration details, internal network topology maps, authentication tokens, database connection strings, or other proprietary data that could facilitate further attacks against the broader IT infrastructure. The disclosure of such information undermines the confidentiality integrity goals of security frameworks and provides adversaries with valuable intelligence for planning more sophisticated intrusion campaigns targeting critical assets within the organization's perimeter.
This vulnerability aligns closely with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-22, which defines Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. It also maps to several techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly T1083 File and Directory Discovery, where adversaries search for specific files or directories on compromised systems to gather information necessary for subsequent phases of an attack chain such as credential access or lateral movement. Understanding this mapping helps security teams prioritize remediation efforts based on established industry standards and threat intelligence models that reflect real-world adversary behaviors observed in enterprise environments globally.
To mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, organizations running Dell OpenManage Enterprise versions earlier than 4.8.0 must apply the vendor-provided patch immediately upon availability. Patching addresses the root cause by implementing proper input validation mechanisms that sanitize all pathname inputs and enforce strict directory boundaries within the application logic. In addition to applying software updates, administrators should review access controls ensuring that only necessary users have administrative privileges over the management console. Network segmentation strategies can further reduce risk by limiting adjacent network access to systems running vulnerable versions of OpenManage Enterprise, thereby restricting potential attack vectors for low-privileged insiders or compromised endpoints within local subnets. Regular vulnerability scanning and continuous monitoring for anomalous file access patterns will also aid in detecting any attempted exploitation activities before significant data loss occurs.