PowerProtect Data Manager: Incorrect Use of Privileged APIs
CVE-2025-23375 is a high-severity incorrect use of privileged apis vulnerability in PowerProtect Data Manager from Dell, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected PowerProtect Data Manager versions: 19.15.0 through 19.18.0-23. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.14% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of PowerProtect Data Manager you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on dell.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dell | PowerProtect Data Manager | 19.15.0 through 19.18.0-23 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | CNA (emc.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
Dell PowerProtect Data Manager Reporting, version(s) 19.17, contain(s) an Incorrect Use of Privileged APIs vulnerability. A low privileged attacker with local access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Elevation of privileges.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Incorrect Use of Privileged APIs
The product does not conform to the API requirements for a function call that requires extra privileges. This could allow attackers to gain privileges by causing the function to be called incorrectly.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Before calling privileged APIs, always ensure that the assumptions made by the privileged code hold true prior to making the call.
- Know architecture and implementation weaknesses of the privileged APIs and make sure to account for these weaknesses before calling the privileged APIs to ensure that they can be called safely.
- If privileged APIs make certain assumptions about data, context or state validity that are passed by the caller, the calling code must ensure that these assumptions have been validated prior to making the call.
More Incorrect Use of Privileged APIs vulnerabilities (CWE-648)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in PowerProtect Data Manager
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
Recent Incorrect Use of Privileged APIs vulnerabilities
- 8.7 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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