OpenManage Server Administrator Managed Node…: Use of Hard-coded Cryptographic Key
CVE-2026-81478 is a critical-severity use of hard-coded cryptographic key vulnerability in OpenManage Server Administrator Managed Node (Patch) for Windows from Dell, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 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 11.1.0.3 as the first without the flaw, so updating OpenManage Server Administrator Managed Node (Patch) for Windows to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.29% 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 OpenManage Server Administrator Managed Node (Patch) for Windows to 11.1.0.3 or a later version.
- Update OpenManage Server Administrator Managed Node for RHEL 8.10 to 11.1.0.3 or a later version.
- Update OpenManage Server Administrator Managed Node for RHEL 9.4 to 11.1.0.3 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 | OpenManage Server Administrator Managed Node (Patch) for Windows | before 11.1.0.3 | 11.1.0.3 |
| Dell | OpenManage Server Administrator Managed Node for RHEL 8.10 | before 11.1.0.3 | 11.1.0.3 |
| Dell | OpenManage Server Administrator Managed Node for RHEL 9.4 | before 11.1.0.3 | 11.1.0.3 |
| Dell | OpenManage Server Administrator Managed Node for SLES 15 | before 11.1.0.3 | 11.1.0.3 |
| Dell | OpenManage Server Administrator Managed Node for Ubuntu 22.04 | before 11.1.0.3 | 11.1.0.3 |
| Dell | Openmanage Server Administrator | before 11.1.0.3 | 11.1.0.3 |
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
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.1 | High | CNA (emc.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
Dell OpenManage Server Administrator, versions prior to 11.1.0.3, contains a Use of Hard-coded Cryptographic Key vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Unauthorized access.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use of Hard-coded Cryptographic Key
The product uses a hard-coded, unchangeable cryptographic key.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Prevention schemes mirror that of hard-coded password storage.
More Use of Hard-coded Cryptographic Key vulnerabilities (CWE-321)
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 OpenManage Server Administrator Managed Node (Patch) for Windows
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
Recent Use of Hard-coded Cryptographic Key vulnerabilities
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
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