CVE-2024-48017 is a command injection vulnerability identified in Dell SmartFabric OS10 Software versions 10.5.4.x through 10.6.0.x. The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in system commands (CWE-77), which allows an attacker with high privileges and remote access to inject malicious commands that the system executes. This vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require the attacker to have elevated privileges, typically administrative or equivalent access to the device. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution, compromising the confidentiality and integrity of the network device and potentially the broader network infrastructure it supports. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.5, indicating medium severity, with attack vector as network, low attack complexity, high privileges required, no user interaction, and impacts on confidentiality and integrity but not availability. No public exploits or active exploitation in the wild have been reported yet. Dell has not yet published patches at the time of this report, but affected organizations should monitor for updates. The vulnerability is particularly critical in environments where SmartFabric OS10 devices manage critical network functions, as attackers could leverage this to gain persistent control or disrupt network operations indirectly.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-48017 is the potential for high-privileged remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on Dell SmartFabric OS10 devices. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive network configurations, interception or manipulation of network traffic, and potential lateral movement within an organization's infrastructure. While availability is not directly affected, the compromise of network devices can indirectly disrupt services or degrade network performance. Organizations relying on SmartFabric OS10 for data center or enterprise network fabric management face risks to confidentiality and integrity of their network operations. The medium severity score reflects the requirement for high privileges, which somewhat limits the attack surface, but the network exposure and critical role of these devices elevate the threat. Without timely mitigation, attackers could exploit this vulnerability to establish persistent footholds, exfiltrate sensitive data, or prepare for further attacks within the network.

1. Monitor Dell’s official channels closely for patches addressing CVE-2024-48017 and apply them promptly once available. 2. Restrict remote administrative access to SmartFabric OS10 devices using network segmentation, VPNs, or jump hosts to limit exposure. 3. Enforce strong authentication mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication, for all high-privileged accounts on affected devices. 4. Regularly audit and minimize the number of users with high privileges to reduce the risk of insider threats or credential compromise. 5. Implement network intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) to monitor for unusual command execution patterns or suspicious remote activity targeting SmartFabric OS10 devices. 6. Use logging and centralized monitoring to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 7. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on network infrastructure to identify and remediate potential weaknesses. 8. Educate network administrators on the risks of command injection vulnerabilities and best practices for secure device management.