CVE-2025-45376 Overview
Dell Repository Manager (DRM) versions 3.4.7 and 3.4.8 contain an improper handling of insufficient permissions or privileges vulnerability [CWE-280]. A low-privileged local attacker can exploit this flaw to elevate privileges on affected systems. The vulnerability allows escalation to higher privilege levels through mishandled permission checks in the DRM application.
Critical Impact
A local attacker with low privileges can escalate to elevated permissions, gaining full confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact on the affected host.
Affected Products
- Dell Repository Manager (DRM) version 3.4.7
- Dell Repository Manager (DRM) version 3.4.8
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-09-29 - CVE-2025-45376 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-45376
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in Dell Repository Manager, a Windows-based application used to manage Dell system updates and driver packages. DRM versions 3.4.7 and 3.4.8 improperly handle permissions or privilege assignments during operation. This mishandling creates a pathway for local users to escalate their privileges beyond what the application intends to grant.
The flaw is classified under CWE-280, which covers improper handling of insufficient permissions or privileges. Applications affected by this weakness fail to enforce privilege boundaries when the operating system denies or restricts access. As a result, sensitive operations may execute in a security context the caller should not reach.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper handling of insufficient permissions within the DRM application logic. The software does not correctly validate or enforce permission checks when interacting with privileged resources on the local host. An authenticated local user can leverage this gap to influence privileged operations performed by DRM.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local access with low privileges. The attacker must already have an authenticated session on the target Windows host running a vulnerable DRM version. User interaction is not required. Successful exploitation delivers elevation of privileges with high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
No public proof-of-concept exploit is available at the time of publication. Full technical details are described in the Dell Security Update Advisory DSA-2025-373.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-45376
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by DRM.exe or related Dell Repository Manager binaries running with elevated tokens.
- Modifications to files or registry keys under DRM installation directories by non-administrative user accounts.
- Unexpected privilege token elevation events (Windows Event ID 4672) tied to accounts that recently interacted with DRM.
Detection Strategies
- Inventory endpoints for Dell Repository Manager versions 3.4.7 and 3.4.8 using software asset management or endpoint telemetry.
- Alert on non-administrative users writing to DRM program directories, configuration files, or associated service paths.
- Correlate process creation events from DRM binaries with subsequent privileged actions such as service installation or scheduled task creation.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable Windows process creation auditing (Event ID 4688) with command-line logging on systems running DRM.
- Forward endpoint telemetry to a centralized data lake or SIEM for cross-host correlation of privilege escalation patterns.
- Track file integrity on DRM installation paths to detect unauthorized modification by low-privileged users.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-45376
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all Windows hosts running Dell Repository Manager 3.4.7 or 3.4.8 across the environment.
- Apply the fixed version referenced in the Dell Security Update Advisory DSA-2025-373.
- Restrict interactive local logon on servers where DRM is installed to reduce the pool of accounts able to exploit the flaw.
Patch Information
Dell has published fixed software and remediation guidance in advisory DSA-2025-373. Administrators should upgrade Dell Repository Manager to the version specified by Dell in the official advisory. Patching is the only complete remediation for this vulnerability.
Workarounds
- Uninstall DRM from hosts where it is not actively required until patching is complete.
- Enforce least-privilege access on systems with DRM installed and audit local user accounts on those hosts.
- Apply application allowlisting to prevent unauthorized binaries from executing within DRM directories.
# Query installed Dell Repository Manager version on Windows via PowerShell
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_Product -Filter "Name LIKE '%Dell Repository Manager%'" |
Select-Object Name, Version, InstallDate
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
