Dell PowerProtect Data Domain: Improper authentication leads to root RCE
Summary
Dell PowerProtect Data Domain backup appliances in several DD OS release lines contain an improper authentication flaw (CWE-287). An unauthenticated remote attacker can potentially execute arbitrary commands with root privileges, which gives full control of the system. Exposure of the management or data interfaces to untrusted networks is the key condition.
Affected
- Feature Release 7.7.1.0 through 8.8
- LTS2024 7.13.1.0 through 7.13.1.80
- LTS2025 8.3.1.0 through 8.3.1.40
- LTS2026 8.6.1.0 through 8.6.1.20
- Also listed in DSA-2026-416: Data Domain Virtual Edition, APEX Protection Storage and Data Domain Management Center (version details unknown)
Fixed in
- Feature Release: 8.9.0.0
- LTS2024: 7.13.1.90
- LTS2025: 8.3.1.50
- LTS2026: 8.6.1.30
- Verify the builds on Dell's advisory DSA-2026-416 before rollout, as the retrieved page showed only part of the remediation table.
Workaround
- No official Dell workaround known.
- If patching is delayed, restrict access to management interfaces to trusted admin networks or jump hosts using firewall rules and ACLs.
- Review logs for unusual authentication activity.
Exploitation
- No confirmed exploitation in the wild.
- CISA SSVC assessment: Exploitation none, Automatable yes, Technical Impact total.
- No public proof-of-concept exploit found.
- Not confirmed as listed in CISA KEV; verify on cisa.gov.
Our recommendation
- Inventory all Data Domain, Virtual Edition and Management Center systems and compare their versions with the fixed builds.
- Patch affected systems as a priority, since a compromised backup appliance threatens recovery from ransomware.
- Restrict management access to admin networks and check firewall rules for exposed interfaces.
- Monitor logs for unusual authentication activity.
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Dell advisory DSA-2026-416 www.dell.com
- Brandefense: fixed builds for DSA-2026-416 brandefense.io
- VulDB: CVE-2026-86400 vuldb.com
- Security Online: Dell Data Domain vulnerabilities securityonline.info
- TheHackerWire: CVE-2026-86400 mitigation www.thehackerwire.com
- OffSeq: CVE-2026-86400 radar.offseq.com
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 30 Oct 2026, 16:16.
Original description (NVD)
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.
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
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