Full Report
Dell security advisory (AV26-863)
Analysis Summary
# Vulnerability: Multiple Flaws in Dell PowerEdge Firmware and AppSync Software
## CVE Details
*Note: The primary advisory (AV26-863) summarizes multiple underlying CVEs across two distinct Dell product lines.*
**Dell PowerEdge (Intel Firmware):**
- **CVE ID:** CVE-2024-21820, CVE-2024-21844, CVE-2024-23918, CVE-2024-21831 (and others associated with Intel-SA-01051)
- **CVSS Score:** 8.2 (High)
- **CWE:** CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer), CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation)
**Dell AppSync:**
- **CVE ID:** CVE-2024-42407, CVE-2024-42408
- **CVSS Score:** 7.5 (High)
- **CWE:** CWE-319 (Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information), CWE-287 (Improper Authentication)
## Affected Systems
- **Products:**
- Dell PowerEdge Servers (Intel-based models)
- Dell AppSync
- **Versions:**
- **PowerEdge:** Multiple BIOS/Firmware versions across various server generations (refer to specific model tables in DSA-2026-356).
- **AppSync:** Versions prior to or equal to 4.6.0.4 and 4.6.1.0.
- **Configurations:** Systems utilizing Intel processors in PowerEdge environments; AppSync installations managing storage replication and data protection.
## Vulnerability Description
- **PowerEdge/Intel Firmware:** These vulnerabilities stem from BIOS and Intel processor firmware flaws (Intel-SA-01051). They typically involve buffer overflows or improper input validation within the System Management Mode (SMM) or Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) stack, potentially allowing for escalation of privilege or denial of service.
- **AppSync:** These flaws involve the insecure handling of sensitive data and authentication weaknesses. Specifically, one vulnerability allows for the transmission of sensitive information in cleartext, while the other involves improper authentication mechanisms that could be bypassed by a remote attacker.
## Exploitation
- **Status:** Not currently reported as exploited in the wild; No public PoC widely available for the Dell-specific implementations.
- **Complexity:**
- **PowerEdge:** High (Requires local access or existing administrative foothold to flash/interact with firmware).
- **AppSync:** Low to Medium.
- **Attack Vector:**
- **PowerEdge:** Local/Adjacent.
- **AppSync:** Network.
## Impact
- **Confidentiality:** High (Firmware-level access or data interception).
- **Integrity:** High (Potential for persistent firmware implants or unauthorized configuration changes).
- **Availability:** High (Potential for system bricking or service disruption).
## Remediation
### Patches
- **Dell PowerEdge:** Apply the BIOS/Firmware updates specified for your specific server model as listed in Dell Security Advisory **DSA-2026-356**.
- **Dell AppSync:**
- Upgrade to **AppSync 4.6.0.5** or higher.
- Upgrade to **AppSync 4.6.1.1** or higher.
### Workarounds
- **Firmware:** Ensure Physical Presence features are enabled to prevent unauthorized firmware updates and restrict administrative access to the iDRAC/Management network.
- **AppSync:** Use encrypted communication channels (VPN/TLS) to mitigate cleartext transmission risks until patches are applied.
## Detection
- **Indicators of Compromise:** Unusual BIOS/Firmware version mismatches; unauthorized administrative logins to the AppSync console; unexplained system reboots at the firmware level.
- **Detection Methods:** Utilize Dell OpenManage or iDRAC to audit firmware versions against the recommended baseline in the DSA.
## References
- Dell Advisory DSA-2026-356: hxxps[://]www[.]dell[.]com/support/kbdoc/en-ca/000502468/dsa-2026-356-security-update-for-dell-poweredge-server-for-intel-processor-firmware-vulnerability
- Dell Advisory DSA-2026-165: hxxps[://]www[.]dell[.]com/support/kbdoc/en-ca/000502484/dsa-2026-165-security-update-for-dell-appsync-vulnerabilities
- Canadian Centre for Cyber Security: hxxps[://]www[.]cyber[.]gc[.]ca/en/alerts-advisories/dell-security-advisory-av26-863