CVE-2024-28964: Dell Common Event Enabler RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-28964 Overview

CVE-2024-28964 is an insecure deserialization vulnerability in Dell Common Event Enabler (CEE) versions 8.9.10.0 and prior, specifically within the CAVATools component. The flaw allows a local unauthenticated attacker to achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the logged-in user. Successful exploitation requires user interaction, as a victim must open a malicious file crafted by the attacker. The issue is tracked under CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data. Dell published fixes in DSA-2024-179.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation grants arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the logged-in user, enabling data theft, persistence, and lateral movement on Windows hosts running vulnerable CEE deployments.

Affected Products

Dell Common Event Enabler for Windows, versions 8.9.10.0 and prior
CAVATools component within Dell EMC Common Event Enabler
Windows platforms running vulnerable CEE builds

Discovery Timeline

2024-06-12 - CVE-2024-28964 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2024-06-12 - Dell publishes security advisory DSA-2024-179 with patched release
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-28964

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the CAVATools component of Dell Common Event Enabler, a Windows service used to bridge event notifications between Dell EMC storage arrays and third-party antivirus or auditing applications. The affected code deserializes attacker-controlled data without validating the object graph or restricting permitted types. When a user opens a malicious file processed by CAVATools, the deserializer instantiates attacker-chosen classes and invokes gadget chains that execute arbitrary code. Because CAVATools runs interactively for the invoking user, code execution inherits that user's privileges, filesystem access, and network reachability.

Root Cause

The root cause is unsafe deserialization of untrusted input, classified as [CWE-502]. The affected parser accepts serialized objects from files without enforcing a type allow-list, integrity check, or signature verification. Standard .NET and Windows deserialization sinks commonly expose such flaws when BinaryFormatter, SoapFormatter, or similar mechanisms are applied to file-supplied data.

Attack Vector

Exploitation is local and requires user interaction. An attacker crafts a malicious file containing a serialized payload with a known gadget chain. Delivery vectors include phishing attachments, network shares, USB media, or drive-by download. When the victim opens the file with a vulnerable CAVATools handler, the payload executes without further prompts. No prior authentication to the host application is required.

No public proof-of-concept exploit is available, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Refer to the Dell Security Update Advisory for vendor technical detail.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-28964

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected child processes spawned by CAVATools or CEE service binaries such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or rundll32.exe
CAVATools processing files from user download folders, email attachment paths, or removable media
Outbound network connections initiated by CEE processes to non-Dell infrastructure
New scheduled tasks, services, or autorun entries created shortly after a CAVATools file open event

Detection Strategies

Monitor process ancestry for CEE and CAVATools binaries invoking script interpreters or LOLBins
Alert on file writes to Startup, Run, or RunOnce registry keys performed by CEE child processes
Baseline expected CAVATools file paths and flag deserialization of files from non-standard directories
Correlate endpoint telemetry with email or web gateway logs to identify malicious file delivery preceding execution

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable Windows Sysmon events 1, 3, 7, and 11 on hosts running Dell CEE, and forward to a centralized SIEM
Track version inventory of Dell Common Event Enabler across the fleet to identify unpatched systems
Review Dell CEE application logs for anomalous file parsing errors that may indicate exploitation attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-28964

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Dell Common Event Enabler to a version later than 8.9.10.0 as specified in DSA-2024-179
Inventory all Windows hosts running CEE and prioritize patching systems accessed by non-administrative users
Restrict which users can open files consumed by CAVATools and educate operators about handling untrusted files

Patch Information

Dell released a fixed version of Common Event Enabler for Windows through advisory DSA-2024-179. Administrators should download the updated installer from the Dell support portal and follow the vendor's upgrade instructions. Verify the running version after installation using the CEE management utilities.

Workarounds

Where patching cannot be completed immediately, restrict CAVATools invocation to trusted administrator accounts only
Apply application control policies to block CEE processes from launching script interpreters or unsigned binaries
Isolate CEE hosts on a segmented network to limit lateral movement in the event of exploitation
Remove CAVATools if the component is not required by the storage-integration workflow

bash

# Verify installed Dell Common Event Enabler version on Windows
wmic product where "Name like 'Common Event Enabler%'" get Name,Version

# Alternative check via PowerShell
Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\* |
  Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -like 'Common Event Enabler*' } |
  Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion