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Missing Authentication Leading to Root Command Execution in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain

IdentifiersCVE-2026-26944CWE-306· Missing Authentication for…

CVE-2026-26944 is a missing authentication for critical function vulnerability in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain DD OS. A network-accessible privileged function can be reached by an unauthenticated remote attacker due to absent authentication enforcement. If the attacker can cause a legitimate authenticated user to perform a specific action, the flaw can be exploited to execute arbitrary commands as root on the affected system. Affected products include Dell PowerProtect Data Domain appliances, Data Domain Virtual Edition (DDVE), and Dell APEX Protection Storage running vulnerable DD OS versions. Reported affected versions are DD OS feature releases 7.7.1.0 through 8.6.0.0/8.6, LTS2025 8.3.1.0 through 8.3.1.20, LTS2024 7.13.1.0 through 7.13.1.60, and PowerProtect DP Series versions prior to 2.7.9. Dell states the fix adds authentication enforcement to the vulnerable function.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation can result in arbitrary command execution with root privileges, yielding full compromise of the affected Data Domain system. Impact is high across confidentiality, integrity, and availability: an attacker could access, alter, or destroy data, disrupt backup and recovery operations, and take control of backup infrastructure that may be central to ransomware recovery and disaster recovery workflows.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

If immediate patching is not possible, reduce exposure of Data Domain management interfaces to trusted administrative networks only, restrict remote access with network segmentation and ACLs, minimize the set of users able to interact with the affected system, and monitor for suspicious command execution or anomalous administrative activity. Because exploitation requires a legitimate authenticated user to perform a specific action, hardening administrative workflows and limiting opportunities for user coercion may reduce risk, but vendor remediation is the primary mitigation.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Apply Dell-provided fixed releases. Reported remediated versions are DD OS 8.6.1.10 or 8.7.0.0 or later for affected feature releases, DD OS 8.3.1.30 or later for LTS2025, DD OS 7.13.1.70 or later for LTS2024, and PowerProtect DP Series Appliance 2.7.9. Dell advisory DSA-2026-060 is the referenced vendor guidance.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

No public exploits tracked yet. Mallory keeps watching.

VALID 0 / 0 TOTALView more in app

No public exploit code observed for this vulnerability.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType
Dell TechnologiesData Domain Operating Systemoperating_system
Dell TechnologiesPowerprotect Data Domainapplication
Dell TechnologiesPowerprotect Dp Series Applianceapplication

Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.

ACTIVITY FEED

Recent activity

10 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.

cvefeed high severityNews
Apr 20, 2026
CVE-2026-26944 - Dell PowerProtect Data Domain Remote Root Command Execution Vulnerability

A missing authentication for critical function vulnerability in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain that could allow arbitrary command execution with root privileges under stated conditions.

Read more
zeropath blogNews
Apr 20, 2026
Brief Summary: Dell PowerProtect Data Domain CVE-2026-26943 OS Command Injection Leading to Root Execution - ZeroPath Blog | ZeroPath

A missing authentication for critical function vulnerability in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain that can potentially be chained with CVE-2026-26943 to bypass authentication requirements and achieve root command execution.

Read more
zeropath blogNews
Apr 20, 2026
Brief Summary: CVE-2026-26944 Missing Authentication in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain Enables Remote Root Command Execution - ZeroPath Blog | ZeroPath

A missing authentication for critical function vulnerability in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain DD OS that can allow unauthenticated remote attackers to achieve arbitrary command execution as root with user interaction.

Read more
zeropath blogNews
Apr 17, 2026
Brief Summary: Dell PowerProtect Data Domain CVE-2026-23778 Command Injection Enabling Root Access - ZeroPath Blog | ZeroPath

A missing authentication for critical function vulnerability in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain that could allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges, with user interaction required.

Read more
What this page doesn’t show

The version that knows your environment.

This page is what’s public. Mallory adds the parts that aren’t: which of your assets are affected, which adversaries are exploiting it right now, which detections to deploy, and what to do tonight.
Exposure mapping

Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.

Threat actor evidence

Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.

Associated malware

Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.

Detection signatures

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity5

Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.