OpenManage Server Administrator Managed Node…: Stack-based Buffer Overflow
CVE-2026-81480 is a high-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in OpenManage Server Administrator Managed Node (Patch) for Windows from Dell, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with administrator privileges, 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 0.62% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 50% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
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.
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
- HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
- 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:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (emc.com).
Official description
Dell OpenManage Server Administrator, versions prior to 11.1.0.3, contains a Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability. A high privileged attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Code execution.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Stack-based Buffer Overflow
The product writes past the end of a buffer that was allocated on the stack.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use automatic buffer overflow detection mechanisms that are offered by certain compilers or compiler extensions. Examples include: the Microsoft Visual Studio /GS flag, Fedora/Red Hat FORTIFY_SOURCE GCC flag, StackGuard, and ProPolice, which provide various mechanisms including canary-based detection and range/index checking. D3-SFCV (Stack Frame Canary Validation) from D3FEND discusses canary-based detection in detail.
- Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
- Implement and perform bounds checking on input.
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
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
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