CVE-2024-37140: Dell Data Domain OS RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-37140 Overview

CVE-2024-37140 is an operating system command injection vulnerability in Dell PowerProtect DD, the software running on Dell Data Domain backup appliances. The flaw exists in an administrative operation and allows a remote, low-privileged attacker to execute arbitrary operating system commands with the privileges of the vulnerable application. Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover of the backup appliance. The vulnerability is tracked under CWE-78 and affects Dell PowerProtect DD versions prior to 8.0, LTS 7.13.1.0, LTS 7.10.1.30, and LTS 7.7.5.40.

Critical Impact
An authenticated remote attacker with low privileges can execute arbitrary OS commands on Dell PowerProtect DD appliances, potentially compromising backup infrastructure and stored data.

Affected Products

Dell PowerProtect DD (Data Domain Operating System) versions prior to 8.0
Dell PowerProtect DD LTS 7.13.1.0, LTS 7.10.1.30, LTS 7.7.5.40 and earlier
Dell Data Domain appliances running affected DD OS builds

Discovery Timeline

2024-06-26 - CVE-2024-37140 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-37140

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2024-37140 is an OS command injection flaw (CWE-78) in an administrative operation exposed by Dell PowerProtect DD. The application incorporates untrusted input into a command executed by the underlying operating system without adequate neutralization. An authenticated attacker with a low-privilege account can supply crafted input that breaks out of the intended command context and appends attacker-controlled shell commands.

The injected commands run with the privileges of the vulnerable service on the appliance. Because Dell PowerProtect DD is a backup and data protection platform, successful exploitation places backup images, replication targets, and retention policies within reach of the attacker. Dell's advisory rates the issue with confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact all set to High.

The EPSS model currently estimates a 1.218% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. No public proof-of-concept exploit or CISA KEV listing exists at the time of writing.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command. Input reaching the admin operation is concatenated into a shell invocation rather than being passed as bounded, escaped arguments. Shell metacharacters such as ;, &&, |, and backticks are not stripped or escaped, enabling attacker-controlled command chaining.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires authentication with low privileges. An attacker sends a crafted request to the vulnerable administrative endpoint on the PowerProtect DD management interface. No user interaction is required. See the Dell Security Update Advisory (DSA-2024-219) for the vendor description.

No verified public exploit code is available. The vulnerability class is well documented: an attacker injects shell metacharacters into an input field consumed by the admin operation, then observes command execution through side effects such as file creation, outbound connections, or altered command output.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-37140

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected child processes spawned by the Dell PowerProtect DD management service, especially shells (sh, bash) or command utilities (wget, curl, nc).
Outbound network connections from the appliance to unfamiliar IP addresses or domains shortly after authenticated admin API activity.
New or modified files in administrative or temporary directories on the appliance filesystem.
Audit log entries showing admin operations invoked by low-privileged accounts followed by anomalous system activity.

Detection Strategies

Monitor Dell PowerProtect DD audit and management logs for admin operations issued by low-privileged users containing shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &, $(, or backticks.
Correlate authenticated management-plane requests with process-execution and network telemetry from the appliance host to identify command-injection side effects.
Alert on repeated failed authentication attempts against the PowerProtect DD management interface preceding successful low-privilege logins.

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward Dell PowerProtect DD audit logs, syslog, and authentication events to a centralized SIEM for retention and correlation.
Baseline normal administrative activity per account and alert on deviations, particularly command patterns not seen historically.
Track integrity of backup catalogs, replication configuration, and retention lock settings to detect tampering after exploitation.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-37140

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Dell PowerProtect DD to a fixed release: 8.0 or later, LTS 7.13.1.0, LTS 7.10.1.30, or LTS 7.7.5.40 as applicable to your deployment.
Restrict network access to the PowerProtect DD management interface so only trusted administrative hosts can reach it.
Review all local and remote accounts on the appliance and remove or disable unused low-privilege accounts.
Rotate credentials for any account that could have accessed the management interface prior to patching.

Patch Information

Dell has released fixed versions and published remediation guidance in DSA-2024-219. Administrators should identify their current DD OS train (mainline or LTS) and upgrade to the corresponding fixed build listed in the advisory.

Workarounds

Place the PowerProtect DD management interface behind a management VLAN or jump host reachable only by authorized administrators.
Enforce multi-factor authentication and least-privilege role assignment for all PowerProtect DD accounts to reduce the population of accounts that can reach the vulnerable operation.
Enable and monitor appliance audit logging so any exploitation attempt against the admin operation generates a detectable event pending patch deployment.

bash

# Example: restrict management-plane access with an upstream firewall rule
# Allow only the admin jump host to reach the PowerProtect DD management interface
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp -s 10.10.20.5 --dport 443 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP