CVE-2025-46369 Overview
CVE-2025-46369 affects Dell Alienware Command Center (AWCC) 6.x releases prior to version 6.10.15.0. The flaw is an Insecure Temporary File issue [CWE-377] that a local, low-privileged attacker can exploit to escalate privileges on affected Windows systems. Dell published the fix in security advisory DSA-2025-392.
Because AWCC ships preinstalled on Alienware gaming systems, the vulnerability presents an accessible local privilege escalation path on consumer and enthusiast endpoints.
Critical Impact
A local attacker with standard user privileges can escalate to higher privileges by abusing insecure temporary file handling in AWCC, gaining full confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact on the host.
Affected Products
- Dell Alienware Command Center 6.x
- All versions prior to 6.10.15.0
- Windows systems with AWCC installed (typically Alienware branded hardware)
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-11-13 - CVE-2025-46369 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-46369
Vulnerability Analysis
Dell Alienware Command Center 6.x contains an insecure temporary file weakness classified under [CWE-377]. The application creates or accesses temporary files in a manner that does not adequately restrict access or validate file integrity between creation and use. A local attacker with standard user rights can manipulate the temporary file path, contents, or symbolic links before the higher-privileged AWCC process consumes them.
Exploitation requires local access and low privileges, but no user interaction. Successful abuse yields code execution or file operations in the security context of the privileged AWCC component, resulting in privilege escalation.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper handling of temporary files created by AWCC service or helper components. The application likely writes to predictable paths in a world-writable directory such as C:\Windows\Temp or %TEMP% without enforcing exclusive creation, secure ACLs, or validation of file ownership. This exposes the classic time-of-check to time-of-use race window and symbolic link abuse patterns common to [CWE-377] weaknesses.
Attack Vector
An attacker running as a standard user on the target system plants or replaces a file at the temporary path AWCC expects. When the privileged AWCC service reads, writes, or executes that file, the attacker-controlled content or link redirection is honored. This allows the attacker to overwrite protected system files, drop DLLs loaded by the service, or execute code as SYSTEM. Refer to the Dell Security Advisory DSA-2025-392 for vendor-provided technical detail.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-46369
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected file creations, hardlinks, or junctions in %TEMP% or C:\Windows\Temp referencing AWCC file names
- Standard user processes writing to paths later accessed by AWCC services running as SYSTEM
- New or modified DLLs and executables in AWCC installation directories following temporary file activity
Detection Strategies
- Monitor process lineage where AWCC service binaries spawn child processes not signed by Dell
- Alert on file operations in shared temporary directories that create symbolic links or hardlinks targeting privileged file paths
- Track version telemetry to identify hosts still running AWCC versions prior to 6.10.15.0
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable Windows Sysmon Event IDs 11 (FileCreate) and 15 (FileCreateStreamHash) for temporary directories
- Log service start and DLL load events for AWCC components using Event ID 7 and Event ID 4688
- Correlate low-privileged user activity with subsequent SYSTEM-level process creation on the same host
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-46369
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Dell Alienware Command Center to version 6.10.15.0 or later on all affected endpoints
- Inventory Alienware systems in the environment and confirm AWCC version through software asset management
- Restrict interactive local logon rights on affected systems until patching is complete
Patch Information
Dell released the fix in Dell Security Advisory DSA-2025-392. Install AWCC 6.10.15.0 or newer from Dell Support or the Microsoft Store update channel used by the application. Confirm the installed version under Apps & Features after applying the update.
Workarounds
- If patching is not immediately possible, stop and disable the AWCC background services to remove the privileged execution context
- Uninstall Dell Alienware Command Center on systems that do not require its functionality
- Apply strict ACLs to the AWCC temporary working directories to block non-administrative write access where feasible
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
