ThinOS 10: Improper Access Control
CVE-2026-81046 is a critical-severity improper access control vulnerability in ThinOS 10 from Dell, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.4 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 2605_10.2616 as the first without the flaw, so updating ThinOS 10 to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.55% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update ThinOS 10 to 2605_10.2616 or a later version.
- Update Thinos to 2605_10.2616 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 | ThinOS 10 | before 2605_10.2616 | 2605_10.2616 |
| Dell | Thinos | before 2605_10.2616 | 2605_10.2616 |
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
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- LowPerformance or availability is reduced.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L. Scored by CNA (emc.com).
Official description
Dell ThinOS 10, versions prior to 2605_10.2616, contain a Protection Mechanism Failure vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Arbitrary Code Execution within the application context.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Access Control
The product does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorized actor.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
- Compartmentalize the system to have safe areas where trust boundaries can be unambiguously drawn. Do not allow sensitive data to go outside of the trust boundary and always be careful when interfacing with a compartment outside of the safe area. Ensure that appropriate compartmentalization is built into the system design, and the compartmentalization allows for and reinforces privilege separation functionality. Architects and designers should rely on the principle of least privilege to decide the appropriate time to use privileges and the time to drop privileges.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in ThinOS 10
- 8.3 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Improper Access Control vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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