CVE-2024-49601 is an OS command injection vulnerability identified in Dell Unity storage systems, specifically in versions 5.4 and earlier. The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements in inputs that are passed to operating system commands, classified under CWE-78. This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker with remote network access to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system hosting the Dell Unity management interface. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.3, indicating high severity, with attack vector as network (AV:N), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:L/I:L/A:L). The vulnerability is exploitable remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for exposed management interfaces. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized command execution, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate storage configurations, disrupt services, or pivot within the network. No public exploits or patches are currently available, but the vulnerability has been officially published and reserved since October 2024. The lack of authentication and user interaction requirements increases the risk of automated exploitation attempts targeting vulnerable Dell Unity systems.

The impact of CVE-2024-49601 is significant for organizations relying on Dell Unity storage systems. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized command execution, compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical storage infrastructure. Attackers could manipulate storage configurations, delete or corrupt data, disrupt storage services, or use the compromised system as a foothold for lateral movement within the network. This can result in data loss, operational downtime, and potential exposure of sensitive information. Given that Dell Unity systems are widely used in enterprise data centers and critical infrastructure environments, the vulnerability poses a substantial risk to business continuity and data security worldwide. The unauthenticated remote exploitability further elevates the threat, as attackers do not need credentials or user interaction to launch attacks, increasing the likelihood of exploitation especially if management interfaces are exposed to untrusted networks.

To mitigate CVE-2024-49601, organizations should immediately restrict remote access to Dell Unity management interfaces by implementing network segmentation and firewall rules that limit access to trusted administrative networks only. Employ VPNs or secure tunnels for remote management to reduce exposure. Monitor network traffic and system logs for unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized access attempts targeting storage systems. Apply vendor-provided patches or updates as soon as they become available to address the vulnerability directly. In the absence of patches, consider disabling or restricting vulnerable services or interfaces temporarily. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests on storage infrastructure to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implement strong authentication and multi-factor authentication for management access to reduce risk from other attack vectors. Maintain up-to-date backups of critical data to enable recovery in case of compromise.