CVE-2025-38743: Dell iDRAC Service Module Buffer Overflow

CVE-2025-38743 Overview

CVE-2025-38743 affects Dell iDRAC Service Module (iSM) versions prior to 6.0.3.0. The vulnerability is classified as Buffer Access with Incorrect Length Value [CWE-805]. A local, low-privileged attacker can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary code and elevate privileges on the affected host.

Dell published the fix in security advisory DSA-2025-311. The vulnerability carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 with impact rated High for confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No public exploit code or in-the-wild exploitation has been reported.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation grants an unprivileged local user the ability to run code in the context of the iDRAC Service Module, resulting in full privilege escalation on the affected server.

Affected Products

Dell iDRAC Service Module (iSM) versions prior to 6.0.3.0
Dell EMC iDRAC Service Module deployments on Windows and Linux server hosts
PowerEdge servers running vulnerable iSM builds alongside iDRAC

Discovery Timeline

2025-08-21 - CVE-2025-38743 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-38743

Vulnerability Analysis

The Dell iDRAC Service Module runs as a privileged host-side agent that communicates with the Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) baseboard management controller. iSM handles operating system telemetry, remote inventory, and lifecycle management operations.

The flaw stems from Buffer Access with Incorrect Length Value [CWE-805]. When iSM processes an input buffer, it references a length value that does not match the actual bounds of the allocated buffer. An attacker who supplies crafted input can force reads or writes past the intended memory region.

Because iSM operates with elevated permissions on the host, memory corruption in its code path translates directly into arbitrary code execution at a higher privilege level. This converts a low-privileged local session into full control of the underlying server operating system.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper validation of a length parameter used during buffer access. The affected code trusts a supplied or computed size value without confirming it against the true buffer boundary. This condition enables out-of-bounds memory access and controlled corruption of adjacent structures.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local access to a system running vulnerable iSM and low-level user privileges. No user interaction is required. The attacker interacts with an iSM interface exposed to local processes, submits input that triggers the mismatched length calculation, and leverages the resulting memory corruption to execute code as the iSM service account.

The vulnerability manifests in the buffer handling logic of Dell iSM. See the Dell Security Update DSA-2025-311 advisory for vendor-provided technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-38743

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected crashes, restarts, or hangs of the dcism or iSM service processes on affected hosts
New or unusual child processes spawned by the iSM service account outside normal telemetry activity
Local privilege escalation events where a low-privileged account transitions to SYSTEM or root shortly after interacting with iSM interfaces

Detection Strategies

Inventory PowerEdge and other Dell server hosts and identify installed iSM versions below 6.0.3.0
Monitor endpoint telemetry for anomalous process lineage originating from iSM binaries and named pipes or sockets used by iSM
Correlate service crash events with subsequent process creation or token manipulation on the same host

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable process creation and image load auditing on servers running iSM and forward logs to a centralized analytics platform
Alert on integrity or availability changes to the iSM installation directory and its configuration files
Track privilege changes and new local accounts created on servers hosting the vulnerable iSM versions

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-38743

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Dell iDRAC Service Module to version 6.0.3.0 or later on every affected host
Restrict interactive and remote local access to servers running iSM to trusted administrators only
Review recent privilege escalation and service failure events on affected servers for signs of exploitation

Patch Information

Dell has addressed CVE-2025-38743 in iSM 6.0.3.0. Full remediation details are available in the Dell Security Update DSA-2025-311. Administrators should download the updated installer from Dell Support and deploy it through their standard server patch management process.

Workarounds

If patching cannot be completed immediately, uninstall or disable the iSM service on hosts where its functionality is not required
Limit local logon rights on affected servers using group policy or equivalent controls to reduce the attacker population
Apply application allowlisting to prevent execution of unauthorized binaries on servers running iSM

bash

# Example: check installed iSM version on Linux and remove if unneeded
rpm -qa | grep -i dcism
# To remove the package if iSM is not required:
sudo rpm -e dcism

# Example: check installed iSM version on Windows (PowerShell)
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object { $_.Name -like "*iDRAC Service Module*" } | Select-Object Name, Version