CVE-2026-70424 Overview
CVE-2026-70424 is a path traversal vulnerability in Dell OpenManage Enterprise versions prior to 4.7.0. The flaw stems from improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory [CWE-22]. An authenticated attacker with low privileges can exploit the vulnerability remotely over the network to access files outside intended directories. Successful exploitation leads to information exposure without requiring user interaction.
Dell published security advisory DSA-2026-359 to address this issue in OpenManage Enterprise 4.7.0 and later.
Critical Impact
A low-privileged remote attacker can traverse the file system and read sensitive files managed by Dell OpenManage Enterprise, exposing configuration data and infrastructure information.
Affected Products
- Dell OpenManage Enterprise versions prior to 4.7.0
- Dell server infrastructure managed through the affected console
- Deployments exposing the OpenManage Enterprise web interface to internal networks
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-08-19 - CVE-2026-70424 published to NVD
- 2026-08-20 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-70424
Vulnerability Analysis
Dell OpenManage Enterprise is a systems management console for monitoring and managing Dell PowerEdge servers. The product fails to properly restrict pathname resolution when handling user-supplied input that references file system locations. This allows an authenticated attacker to construct requests that reference parent directories outside the intended scope.
Exploitation requires network access and low-privilege authentication. No user interaction is required. The impact is limited to confidentiality; the vulnerability does not permit modification of data or disruption of service based on the published CVSS vector.
The EPSS probability is 0.328% at the 25th percentile, indicating a low likelihood of active exploitation in the near term. No public proof-of-concept or exploit code has been observed.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper validation of pathname input [CWE-22]. The application accepts file path parameters without sufficiently canonicalizing them or enforcing that resolved paths remain within an allowed base directory. Sequences such as ../ traversal characters or encoded equivalents bypass the intended directory restriction.
Attack Vector
The attacker authenticates to the OpenManage Enterprise console using low-privilege credentials, then issues crafted HTTP requests containing path traversal payloads to affected endpoints. The server resolves the manipulated paths and returns file contents from outside the intended directory scope. Refer to the Dell Security Update DSA-2026-359 for vendor-specific technical detail.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-70424
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to OpenManage Enterprise endpoints containing ../, ..\, or URL-encoded traversal sequences such as %2e%2e%2f
- Access to file paths outside expected application directories in web server logs
- Unusual file read operations initiated by the OpenManage Enterprise service account
- Authenticated sessions from low-privileged accounts issuing atypical file-retrieval requests
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server and application logs for traversal patterns in query strings, headers, and POST bodies
- Correlate authentication events for low-privilege accounts with file-access anomalies on OpenManage Enterprise hosts
- Deploy web application firewall rules that flag directory traversal sequences targeting management console URIs
Monitoring Recommendations
- Alert on file reads by the OpenManage Enterprise process outside its installation and data directories
- Baseline normal API usage patterns for the console and flag deviations from low-privileged users
- Forward console logs to a centralized SIEM for retention and correlation with endpoint telemetry
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-70424
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Dell OpenManage Enterprise to version 4.7.0 or later as specified in DSA-2026-359
- Restrict network access to the OpenManage Enterprise console to trusted management networks only
- Audit user accounts and revoke unnecessary low-privilege access to the console
- Review console logs for evidence of traversal attempts prior to patching
Patch Information
Dell released the fix in OpenManage Enterprise 4.7.0. Full remediation details are available in the Dell Security Update DSA-2026-359. Administrators should apply the update through Dell's standard upgrade procedure and verify the installed build after deployment.
Workarounds
- Place the OpenManage Enterprise console behind a reverse proxy or WAF that blocks path traversal sequences
- Enforce network segmentation so the console is unreachable from general user networks
- Rotate credentials for any accounts suspected of unauthorized access pending patch deployment
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
