CVE-2025-22476 Overview
Dell Storage Manager version 20.1.20 contains a command injection vulnerability in Dell Storage Center. The flaw allows a low-privileged attacker with adjacent network access to inject operating system commands. Successful exploitation leads to remote code execution on the affected system.
The vulnerability is tracked as CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command. Dell published advisory DSA-2025-191 to address the issue.
Critical Impact
An authenticated attacker on an adjacent network can execute arbitrary commands on Dell Storage Manager, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of managed storage infrastructure.
Affected Products
- Dell Storage Manager 2020 R1
- Dell Storage Manager 2020 R1.10, 2020 R1.2
- Dell Storage Manager 2020 R1.20 (version 20.1.20)
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-05-06 - CVE-2025-22476 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-22476
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2025-22476 is a command injection flaw in Dell Storage Manager, the management platform for Dell Storage Center arrays. The application fails to properly neutralize special characters in input that is subsequently passed to an operating system command interpreter.
An attacker who holds low-privileged credentials on the management interface can supply crafted input containing shell metacharacters. The Storage Manager service concatenates this input into a command string and executes it, giving the attacker code execution in the context of the service account.
Because Storage Manager typically runs with elevated privileges to orchestrate storage operations, successful exploitation yields full remote execution against a system that governs enterprise storage arrays. The attack requires adjacent network access, meaning the attacker must reside on the same logical network segment as the management interface.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper input neutralization prior to command execution, classified as CWE-77. Storage Manager accepts user-supplied parameters through an authenticated interface and forwards them to a system shell without sufficient validation or safe-argument construction.
Parameters that should be treated as opaque data are instead interpreted by the shell, allowing separators such as ;, &&, |, and backticks to break out of the intended command context.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires the attacker to:
- Obtain low-privileged credentials to the Storage Manager interface
- Reach the management endpoint from an adjacent network (typically the storage management VLAN)
- Submit a request containing shell metacharacters within a parameter that reaches the vulnerable command construction path
No user interaction is required. Refer to Dell DSA-2025-191 for the specific affected components and remediation guidance.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-22476
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by the Dell Storage Manager service account, particularly shell interpreters such as sh, bash, cmd.exe, or powershell.exe.
- Outbound network connections originating from the Storage Manager host to unfamiliar or external destinations.
- New or modified files under Storage Manager installation directories that were not produced by an authorized upgrade.
- Storage Manager audit logs showing API or CLI requests containing shell metacharacters (;, |, &, `, $().
Detection Strategies
- Monitor process ancestry on Storage Manager hosts and alert on the service process launching interactive shells or scripting engines.
- Deploy authenticated web application logging on the management interface to capture full request bodies for later inspection.
- Correlate Storage Manager authentication events with administrative API calls to identify low-privileged accounts issuing unusual commands.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward Storage Manager application and audit logs to a centralized SIEM for retention and correlation.
- Baseline normal command execution patterns for the Storage Manager service and alert on deviations.
- Track failed and successful logins from adjacent network segments to detect credential probing that typically precedes exploitation.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-22476
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the fixed release documented in Dell DSA-2025-191 to all Dell Storage Manager instances running 20.1.20 or earlier.
- Restrict management interface access to a dedicated storage administration VLAN with strict access control lists.
- Rotate credentials for all Storage Manager local and directory-integrated accounts, prioritizing low-privileged operator accounts.
- Audit recent Storage Manager activity logs for evidence of command injection attempts prior to patching.
Patch Information
Dell has published patched builds of Storage Manager through advisory DSA-2025-191. Administrators should consult the advisory for the exact fixed version and upgrade procedure that applies to their deployment.
Workarounds
- Limit network reachability of the Storage Manager management interface to a small set of administrative jump hosts.
- Enforce multi-factor authentication and least-privilege role assignment on all Storage Manager accounts until patching is complete.
- Disable or remove unused low-privileged accounts that could be leveraged to reach the vulnerable code path.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
