PowerProtect Data Domain: Improper Authentication
CVE-2026-86400 is a critical-severity improper authentication vulnerability in PowerProtect Data Domain 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 versions 8.9.0.0 or later, 7.13.1.90 or later, 8.3.1.50 or later as the first without the flaw, so updating PowerProtect Data Domain to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.9% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 60% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update PowerProtect Data Domain to 8.9.0.0 or later or 7.13.1.90 or later or 8.3.1.50 or later or 8.6.1.30 or later, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- 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 | PowerProtect Data Domain | before 8.9.0.0 or later; before 7.13.1.90 or later; before 8.3.1.50 or later; before 8.6.1.30 or later | 8.9.0.0 or later, 7.13.1.90 or later, 8.3.1.50 or later, 8.6.1.30 or later |
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 CNA (emc.com).
Official description
Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, Feature Release versions 7.7.1.0 through 8.8, LTS2024 release versions 7.13.1.0 through 7.13.1.80, LTS2025 release versions 8.3.1.0 through 8.3.1.40, LTS2026 release versions 8.6.1.0 through 8.6.1.20, contain an Improper Authentication vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to arbitrary command execution with root privileges. This is a critical severity vulnerability as it allows an attacker to take complete control of the system. Dell recommends customers to upgrade at the earliest opportunity.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
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 references
Other vulnerabilities in PowerProtect Data Domain
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.3 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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