CVE-2026-41124 Overview
CVE-2026-41124 is a path traversal vulnerability [CWE-22] affecting Dell PowerProtect Data Domain. The flaw stems from improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory in the Dell Data Domain Operating System. A high-privileged attacker with local access can read files outside the intended directory scope, resulting in information exposure.
Dell disclosed the issue in security advisory DSA-2026-278 covering multiple Data Domain vulnerabilities. The flaw affects mainline releases from 7.7.1.0 through 8.6, plus the LTS2026, LTS2025, and LTS2024 branches. Exploitation requires local access and elevated privileges, which limits practical risk but does not eliminate insider or post-compromise scenarios.
Critical Impact
A local, high-privileged attacker can read restricted files on the Data Domain appliance, exposing backup metadata, configuration, or other sensitive content.
Affected Products
- Dell PowerProtect Data Domain versions 7.7.1.0 through 8.6
- Dell PowerProtect Data Domain LTS2026 versions 8.6.1.0 through 8.6.1.10
- Dell PowerProtect Data Domain LTS2025 versions 8.3.1.0 through 8.3.1.30, and LTS2024 versions 7.13.1.0 through 7.13.1.70
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-07-03 - CVE-2026-41124 published to NVD
- 2026-07-08 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-41124
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a path traversal weakness classified under [CWE-22]. Dell PowerProtect Data Domain fails to properly normalize or restrict user-supplied path input. An attacker can supply sequences such as ../ to escape the intended working directory and reach files elsewhere on the appliance filesystem.
Because the attack vector is local and requires high privileges, exploitation depends on prior access to the Data Domain management interface or shell. The confidentiality impact is high, while integrity and availability remain unaffected. This aligns with an information disclosure primitive rather than code execution or tampering.
The EPSS probability sits at 0.127%, indicating low predicted exploitation likelihood in the near term. No public proof-of-concept, exploit tooling, or CISA KEV entry exists for this identifier at the time of publication.
Root Cause
The root cause is insufficient validation of pathname input before it reaches file system operations. When the application constructs file paths from attacker-controllable input, it does not canonicalize the resulting path or enforce that the target remains within an allow-listed directory. Traversal sequences bypass the intended restriction.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local access to the Data Domain appliance with administrative or otherwise high-privileged credentials. The attacker interacts with an affected interface that consumes a filename or path argument. By injecting relative traversal tokens, the attacker forces file reads outside the intended directory. No user interaction is required. See the Dell Security Update DSA-2026-278 for the vendor's technical description.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-41124
Indicators of Compromise
- Command-line arguments or API parameters on Data Domain interfaces containing ../, ..\, or URL-encoded equivalents such as %2e%2e%2f.
- Access log entries showing privileged users reading files outside expected Data Domain application directories.
- Unexpected reads of sensitive files such as /etc/shadow, configuration exports, or key material by administrative accounts.
Detection Strategies
- Audit Data Domain administrative command history and API calls for path arguments containing traversal sequences.
- Correlate high-privileged local sessions with subsequent file read events targeting non-standard paths.
- Ingest Data Domain audit and syslog output into a centralized SIEM and alert on traversal patterns.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward Data Domain audit logs to the Singularity Data Lake or an equivalent SIEM for retention and correlation.
- Baseline normal administrative file access and alert on deviations, particularly reads outside standard operational directories.
- Monitor authentication events for the administrative accounts capable of triggering this flaw and flag anomalous session origins.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-41124
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the fixed release identified in Dell Security Update DSA-2026-278 to every affected Data Domain appliance.
- Inventory Data Domain systems and confirm current versions against the affected ranges before scheduling remediation.
- Rotate credentials for high-privileged Data Domain accounts if compromise is suspected.
Patch Information
Dell has published fixed builds through advisory DSA-2026-278. Administrators should upgrade mainline Data Domain deployments beyond the 8.6 range and LTS branches beyond 8.6.1.10, 8.3.1.30, and 7.13.1.70 respectively. Refer to the Dell knowledge base article for exact fixed version numbers per branch and upgrade procedures.
Workarounds
- Restrict administrative access to the Data Domain appliance to a minimal set of named accounts and jump hosts.
- Enforce multi-factor authentication and session logging for all privileged Data Domain access paths.
- Isolate the Data Domain management network from general user segments to reduce local access exposure until patching is complete.
# Verify installed Data Domain OS version against advisory
system show version
# Review recent administrative command history for traversal patterns
log view debug | grep -E '\.\./|%2e%2e'
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
