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This vulnerability is a classic symlink race condition within the Dell Encryption software for Windows, affecting versions prior to 11.12.1. The core flaw exists in how the software resolves file paths during operations, particularly when dealing with temporary files or critical configuration data. A local, low-privileged attacker can create a symbolic link (symlink) pointing from a predictable file location the software uses to a sensitive system file, such as one owned by NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM. When the vulnerable software process, which runs with higher privileges, attempts to access its expected file, it is tricked by the symlink into accessing the target file instead. By carefully timing this substitution—often during a brief window between the software checking for the file’s existence and actually opening it—the attacker can get the elevated process to perform write operations on protected files. This could involve overwriting a system executable, DLL, or configuration file to inject malicious code. Once the high-privilege process executes the tampered file, the attacker’s code runs with those elevated system privileges, completing the local privilege escalation.
dailycve form:
Platform: Dell Encryption
Version: Prior to 11.12.1
Vulnerability: Link Following
Severity: Critical
date: 12/09/2025
Prediction: January 2025 Patch
What Undercode Say:
Analytics:
Check for susceptible version
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object {$_.Name -like "Dell Encryption"} | Select-Object Name, Version
Example command to list symbolic links (requires admin)
dir /AL /S C:\dell_temp\
How Exploit:
- Attacker identifies a predictable file path used by the privileged Dell service.
- They replace the expected file or create a symlink/junction point to a critical system target.
- They force the service to process the path, causing it to write to or execute from the attacker-controlled location.
4. Malicious code is executed with `SYSTEM` privileges.
Protection from this CVE:
Immediately update Dell Encryption to version 11.12.1 or later provided by the vendor. Enforce the principle of least privilege for user accounts to limit local access. Implement security software that can detect and alert on suspicious symlink creation attempts.
Impact:
Successful exploitation allows a local authenticated attacker to escalate privileges to `NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM` (root-level access) on the Windows host, leading to a complete compromise of the local system, data theft, and persistent malware installation.
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Sources:
Reported By: nvd.nist.gov
Extra Source Hub:
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