CVE-2025-46427: Dell SmartFabric OS10 RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-46427 Overview

CVE-2025-46427 is a command injection vulnerability affecting Dell SmartFabric OS10 Software versions prior to 10.6.1.0. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in operating system commands [CWE-77]. A remote attacker with low privileges can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying switch operating system. Dell published an advisory under DSA-2025-407 addressing this issue across affected SmartFabric OS10 builds.

Critical Impact
A remote, authenticated attacker with low privileges can execute arbitrary operating system commands on Dell networking switches, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the network fabric.

Affected Products

Dell SmartFabric OS10 Software versions prior to 10.6.1.0
Dell networking switches running vulnerable OS10 firmware
Network fabrics managed through affected OS10 instances

Discovery Timeline

2025-11-12 - CVE-2025-46427 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-46427

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-77] Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command. Dell SmartFabric OS10 fails to sanitize special characters passed to a command-handling routine. When an authenticated user submits crafted input containing shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &, or backticks, the input is concatenated into a command string and executed by the underlying shell. This breaks the boundary between control logic and user-supplied data.

The attacker requires only low-privilege authenticated access over the network. No user interaction is needed, and exploitation is of low complexity. The Exploit Prediction Scoring System places exploitation probability at 1.127%. The vulnerability has not been observed in active exploitation campaigns and is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing input validation and sanitization in a command-execution code path within OS10. User-controlled parameters reach a shell or system call without being properly escaped, neutralized, or passed through a safe execution API. Attackers exploit this gap by embedding additional commands inside expected parameters.

Attack Vector

An attacker authenticates to the OS10 management interface with any low-privileged account. The attacker then submits crafted input to a vulnerable command-handling endpoint. The injected payload executes with the privileges of the OS10 service handling the request, often allowing access to switch configuration and operating system functions. See the Dell Security Update DSA-2025-407 for vendor technical details.

// No verified exploit code is publicly available for CVE-2025-46427.
// Refer to the Dell DSA-2025-407 advisory for technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-46427

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected shell processes spawned by OS10 management or API services
Command-line arguments to OS10 binaries containing shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &&, or backticks
Configuration changes or new local accounts created outside approved change windows
Outbound network connections initiated from the switch management plane to unfamiliar hosts

Detection Strategies

Inspect OS10 audit logs and CLI session history for command parameters containing injection patterns
Correlate authentication events from low-privileged accounts with subsequent privileged command execution
Baseline normal management-plane process trees and alert on deviations

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward OS10 syslog and audit logs to a centralized SIEM for retention and correlation
Monitor administrative API endpoints for unusual request bodies and parameter values
Track firmware versions across the fleet and alert on switches running builds below 10.6.1.0

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-46427

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Dell SmartFabric OS10 to version 10.6.1.0 or later as directed in DSA-2025-407
Restrict management-plane access to dedicated administrative networks and jump hosts
Audit and remove unused low-privileged accounts on affected switches
Rotate credentials for any account that may have accessed vulnerable systems

Patch Information

Dell has released fixed firmware in SmartFabric OS10 10.6.1.0. Full remediation guidance is provided in the Dell Security Update DSA-2025-407. Apply the update across all affected switches in coordinated maintenance windows.

Workarounds

Limit access to the OS10 management interface using access control lists and management VRF isolation
Enforce strong authentication and role-based access control to reduce the population of accounts capable of reaching vulnerable endpoints
Disable unused management services and APIs on affected switches until the patch is applied

bash

# Example: restrict management access using an OS10 ACL
configure terminal
ip access-list MGMT-ACL
  permit ip 10.10.0.0/24 any
  deny ip any any log
exit
interface mgmt 1/1/1
  ip access-group MGMT-ACL in
exit