Secure Connect Gateway 5.0 - Application: Use of Hard-coded Credentials
CVE-2026-79740 is a high-severity use of hard-coded credentials vulnerability in Secure Connect Gateway 5.0 - Application from Dell, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 5.36.00.00 or later as the first without the flaw, so updating Secure Connect Gateway 5.0 - Application to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.41% 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
- Update Secure Connect Gateway 5.0 - Application to 5.36.00.00 or later or a later version.
- Update Secure Connect Gateway 5.0 - Appliance to 5.36.00.16 or later or a later version.
- Update Secure Connect Gateway to 5.36.00.00 or 5.36.00.16, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on dell.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dell | Secure Connect Gateway 5.0 - Application | before 5.36.00.00 or later | 5.36.00.00 or later |
| Dell | Secure Connect Gateway 5.0 - Appliance | before 5.36.00.16 or later | 5.36.00.16 or later |
| Dell | Secure Connect Gateway | before 5.36.00.00; before 5.36.00.16 | 5.36.00.00, 5.36.00.16 |
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
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- 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
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N. Scored by CNA (emc.com).
Official description
Dell SCG 5.0 Appliance versions prior to 5.36.00.16 and Dell SCG 5.0 Application versions prior to 5.36.00.00, contains an Use of Hard-coded Credentials vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to information exposure.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use of Hard-coded Credentials
The product contains hard-coded credentials, such as a password or cryptographic key.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For outbound authentication: store passwords, keys, and other credentials outside of the code in a strongly-protected, encrypted configuration file or database that is protected from access by all outsiders, including other local users on the same system. Properly protect the key (CWE-320). If you cannot use encryption to protect the file, then make sure that the permissions are as restrictive as possible. In Windows environments, the Encrypted File System (EFS) may provide some protection.
- For inbound authentication: Rather than hard-code a default username and password, key, or other authentication credentials for first time logins, utilize a first login mode that requires the user to enter a unique strong password or key.
- If the product must contain hard-coded credentials or they cannot be removed, perform access control checks and limit which entities can access the feature that requires the hard-coded credentials. For example, a feature might only be enabled through the system console instead of through a network connection.
More Use of Hard-coded Credentials vulnerabilities (CWE-798)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Secure Connect Gateway 5.0 - Application
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Use of Hard-coded Credentials vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
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