CVE-2024-22451 Overview
CVE-2024-22451 is an uncontrolled search path element vulnerability in Dell Peripheral Manager versions 1.5.1 through 1.7.2. The flaw allows a local authenticated attacker to preload a malicious executable into a directory searched by the application. When the application loads the planted binary, it executes attacker-controlled code in the context of the running user. Successful exploitation results in arbitrary code execution on the host. The weakness is tracked under CWE-427 and addressed in Dell Security Advisory DSA-2024-055.
Critical Impact
Local attackers can achieve arbitrary code execution by planting a malicious binary in a directory Dell Peripheral Manager searches during loading, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Affected Products
- Dell Peripheral Manager version 1.5.1
- Dell Peripheral Manager versions 1.5.2 through 1.7.1
- Dell Peripheral Manager version 1.7.2
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-16 - CVE-2024-22451 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-22451
Vulnerability Analysis
Dell Peripheral Manager loads supporting executables or libraries using a search path that is not fully controlled by the application. An attacker with local access can place a crafted binary in a directory that appears earlier in the resolution order than the legitimate component. When the application searches for the file, it loads the attacker's binary instead. The resulting code runs with the privileges of the user invoking Dell Peripheral Manager. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-427: Uncontrolled Search Path Element.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper resolution of executable or library paths during process initialization. The application relies on the operating system search order without anchoring critical components to absolute, protected paths. Any writable directory included in that search order becomes an injection point. The high attack complexity reflects that the attacker must position the malicious file in a directory the application searches before the legitimate location and time it to coincide with execution.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local access and low privileges, plus user interaction to trigger or restart the affected application. An attacker authenticated to the system writes a malicious DLL or executable into a directory that Dell Peripheral Manager searches during startup or feature invocation. When a user launches the application or a peripheral event triggers component loading, the planted binary executes. Because the process runs in the user context, the attacker inherits that user's permissions and can pivot to persistence, credential theft, or lateral movement.
No public proof-of-concept code is available for CVE-2024-22451. For technical specifics, refer to the Dell Security Update DSA-2024-055.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-22451
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected executables or DLLs in directories adjacent to the Dell Peripheral Manager installation path or in user-writable directories present in the process search order.
- Dell Peripheral Manager processes spawning unusual child processes such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or rundll32.exe.
- File creation events in application working directories from non-administrator user accounts immediately preceding application launch.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor module load events for Dell Peripheral Manager binaries and alert when modules load from non-standard or user-writable paths.
- Baseline the legitimate set of DLLs and executables loaded by the application, then flag deviations.
- Hunt for write operations to directories included in the application search path that originate from standard user contexts.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable image-load and process-creation telemetry on endpoints running Dell Peripheral Manager and forward to a centralized analytics platform.
- Track file integrity on the Dell Peripheral Manager install directory and any auxiliary load directories.
- Correlate user-context file writes with subsequent process executions of the same path within short time windows.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-22451
Immediate Actions Required
- Inventory all endpoints running Dell Peripheral Manager and identify hosts with versions 1.5.1 through 1.7.2.
- Upgrade Dell Peripheral Manager to the fixed version published in Dell Security Advisory DSA-2024-055.
- Restrict write permissions on directories within the application search path to administrators only.
- Audit recent file writes to application directories on affected systems to identify potential pre-positioning.
Patch Information
Dell has released a fixed build of Dell Peripheral Manager. Refer to the Dell Security Update DSA-2024-055 for the specific remediated version and download instructions. Apply the update through standard software distribution tooling and verify the installed version after deployment.
Workarounds
- Remove or disable Dell Peripheral Manager on systems where it is not required until patching is complete.
- Apply least-privilege controls so standard users cannot write to directories searched by the application.
- Enforce application allowlisting to block execution of unsigned or unexpected binaries from user-writable locations.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
