CVE-2025-45379 Overview
CVE-2025-45379 affects Dell CloudLink versions prior to 8.2. The vulnerability allows a privileged user with a known password to execute command injection from the console. Successful exploitation grants shell access to the underlying operating system.
The flaw is classified under [CWE-78] (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command). Dell published advisory DSA-2025-374 to address this issue along with other CloudLink security vulnerabilities.
Critical Impact
An authenticated attacker on the adjacent network can escape the restricted CloudLink console and gain shell access to the host system, breaking the appliance's security boundary.
Affected Products
- Dell CloudLink versions prior to 8.2
- Dell CloudLink appliance console interface
- Dell CloudLink key management platform deployments
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-11-05 - CVE-2025-45379 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2025-11-05 - Dell releases security advisory DSA-2025-374
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-45379
Vulnerability Analysis
Dell CloudLink is an encryption key management platform used to protect data across virtualized and cloud environments. The vulnerability resides in the administrative console, which accepts input that is passed to underlying operating system commands without proper sanitization.
A privileged user with valid credentials can inject shell metacharacters into console commands. The injected payload executes in the context of the host operating system rather than the constrained console environment. This escape breaks the appliance boundary that CloudLink relies on to protect its key management functions.
The attack requires adjacent network access and high privileges, but the resulting shell access exposes cryptographic key material and configuration data managed by the appliance. Scope change indicates that impact extends beyond the vulnerable component to other resources on the host.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements passed to OS command execution [CWE-78]. Console command handlers concatenate user-supplied arguments into shell invocations without validating or escaping metacharacters such as ;, |, &, and backticks.
Attack Vector
An authenticated attacker with a known privileged password connects to the CloudLink console over the adjacent network. The attacker issues console commands that include injected shell metacharacters and secondary payloads. The command interpreter passes the concatenated string to the underlying shell, executing the attacker-supplied commands with the privileges of the console process.
Exploitation code is not publicly available. Refer to the Dell Security Update DSA-2025-374 advisory for vendor-provided technical detail.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-45379
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected shell processes spawned as children of the CloudLink console service on the appliance.
- Console session logs containing shell metacharacters (;, |, &, `, $()) in command arguments.
- Outbound network connections initiated from the CloudLink appliance to unfamiliar hosts.
- New or modified files in system directories outside CloudLink's managed paths.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor process ancestry on CloudLink hosts for shells (/bin/sh, /bin/bash) launched by the console binary.
- Review console audit logs for command arguments containing shell control characters.
- Alert on privileged authentications to the CloudLink console followed by anomalous host-level activity.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward CloudLink appliance logs and host telemetry to a centralized SIEM for correlation.
- Track failed and successful authentication events to the console, especially from adjacent network segments.
- Baseline normal administrative activity on CloudLink hosts and alert on deviations such as new process trees or filesystem writes.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-45379
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Dell CloudLink to version 8.2 or later as directed by Dell advisory DSA-2025-374.
- Rotate all privileged CloudLink account passwords, particularly any credentials previously exposed or shared.
- Restrict network access to the CloudLink management console to a dedicated administrative network segment.
- Review console audit logs for evidence of command injection attempts prior to patching.
Patch Information
Dell has released fixed builds in CloudLink 8.2 and later. Full remediation guidance and download links are available in the Dell Security Update DSA-2025-374 advisory.
Workarounds
- Limit console access to a minimal set of trusted administrators until patching is complete.
- Enforce network segmentation and access control lists that restrict the adjacent network exposure of the management interface.
- Enable multi-factor authentication for all privileged CloudLink accounts where supported.
- Monitor privileged sessions with session recording to detect abuse of console commands.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
