Quick answer
Direct answer
Risk scores
| CVSS metric | What it means |
|---|---|
| Attack vector (AV:N) | Network: reachable remotely |
| Attack complexity (AC:L) | Low complexity |
| Privileges required (PR:L) | Low privileges required |
| User interaction (UI:N) | No user interaction |
| Scope (S:U) | Scope unchanged |
| Confidentiality (C:L) | Low confidentiality impact |
| Integrity (I:H) | High integrity impact |
| Availability (A:L) | Low availability impact |
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:L
About Dell Powerprotect Cyber Recovery
CVE-2026-79938 affects Dell Powerprotect Cyber Recovery, a product from Dell. Before acting, confirm where Dell Powerprotect Cyber Recovery runs in your estate, who owns it and whether it is reachable from the internet, because exposure decides real risk more than the score alone.
What the flaw is
In plain terms: Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery, versions prior to 20.3, contain an Improper Authentication vulnerability. A low privileged attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Unauthorized access.
The weakness class is Improper Authentication. The software does not properly prove who a user is.
Based on its CVSS vector, the flaw can be reached over the network, needs some level of access, and needs no user interaction. Apply the vendor fix and confirm exposure on internet facing and business critical assets first.
Affected versions and timeline
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Dell Powerprotect Cyber Recovery |
| Affected versions | Powerprotect Cyber Recovery before 20.3.0.0 |
| Published | Aug 26, 2026 |
| Last modified | Sep 1, 2026 |
| Added to CISA KEV | Not listed |
| Assigning CNA | security_alert@emc.com |
How to detect it
- Inventory every instance of Dell Powerprotect Cyber Recovery and record the running version against the affected range above.
- Check external attack surface scans for internet facing instances of the component.
- Review logs on affected systems for unusual requests, errors or new processes around the vulnerable function.
- Confirm with an authenticated vulnerability scan once your scanner has a check for this CVE.
How to fix it
- Apply the fixed version of Dell Powerprotect Cyber Recovery named in the vendor advisory.
- If patching must wait, restrict network access to the affected service and put it behind authentication or a web application firewall rule.
- Rescan after the change to prove the exposure is gone, then close the ticket.
CTEM action plan
| CTEM stage | What to do for this CVE |
|---|---|
| Scope | Add every business service that depends on Dell Powerprotect Cyber Recovery to the current CTEM cycle. |
| Discover | Find all instances, including shadow and cloud deployments, and record versions and exposure. |
| Prioritize | Rank using EPSS and CVSS together with asset exposure and business impact. |
| Validate | Confirm the flaw is reachable and exploitable in your environment and that compensating controls work. |
| Mobilize | Assign the fix to the asset owner with a due date matched to the priority, then verify closure. |
CWE References
- CWE-287: Improper Authentication More CVEs with this weakness
Technical References
Frequently asked questions
Related CVEs
Dell Secure Connect Gateway (SCG) Policy Manager, versions prior to 5.34.00.16, contains a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability. A high privileged attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Information disclosure, Protection mechanism bypass, Server-side request forgery, and Unauthorized access.
Dell Secure Connect Gateway (SCG) Policy Manager, versions prior to 5.34.00.16, contains an Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key vulnerability. A low privileged attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Elevation of privileges.
Dell Secure Connect Gateway (SCG) Policy Manager, versions prior to 5.34.00.16, contains an Improper Certificate Validation vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Denial of service, Information disclosure, and Remote execution.
Dell Secure Connect Gateway (SCG) Policy Manager, versions prior to 5.34.00.16, contains an Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere vulnerability. A low privileged attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Elevation of privileges, Filesystem access for attacker, and Remote execution.
Dell Secure Connect Gateway (SCG) Policy Manager, versions prior to 5.34.00.16, contains an Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Elevation of privileges, Protection mechanism bypass, and Unauthorized access.
Dell Command | Configure (DCC), versions prior to 5.2.3.35, contain an Improper Handling of Mixed Encoding vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Elevation of Privileges.
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