CVE-2025-23375 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in Dell PowerProtect Data Manager, specifically affecting version 19.15.0. The vulnerability stems from an incorrect use of privileged APIs (classified under CWE-648), which allows a low-privileged attacker with local access to escalate their privileges. This means that an attacker who already has some level of access to the system, but with limited permissions, can exploit this flaw to gain higher-level privileges, potentially administrative rights. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a low attack complexity, indicating that exploitation is relatively straightforward once local access is obtained. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 reflects the significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, all rated as high. The scope is unchanged, meaning the vulnerability affects only the vulnerable component without extending beyond it. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the potential for privilege escalation in a backup and data management product is critical because it could allow attackers to manipulate backup data, disrupt data recovery processes, or gain persistent access to sensitive environments. Dell PowerProtect Data Manager is widely used in enterprise environments for data protection and backup orchestration, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on it for critical data management tasks.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability could be severe. PowerProtect Data Manager is often deployed in data centers and enterprise IT environments to safeguard critical business data. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to backup repositories, manipulation or deletion of backup data, and disruption of disaster recovery capabilities. This could result in data loss, extended downtime, and compromise of sensitive information, including personal data protected under GDPR. The elevation of privileges could also enable attackers to move laterally within networks, increasing the risk of broader compromise. Given the critical role of data protection in sectors such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and government, the vulnerability poses a significant risk to operational continuity and regulatory compliance for European entities. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for mitigation, but the ease of exploitation and high impact necessitate immediate attention.

Organizations should prioritize upgrading Dell PowerProtect Data Manager to a patched version once available from Dell, as no patch links are currently provided. In the interim, implement strict access controls to limit local access to systems running the vulnerable version, ensuring only trusted administrators have such access. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious privilege escalation activities. Conduct regular audits of user permissions and system logs to detect anomalous behavior. Network segmentation should be enforced to isolate backup management systems from general user workstations to reduce the attack surface. Additionally, consider implementing application whitelisting and restricting execution of unauthorized code on affected systems. Organizations should also review and enhance physical security controls to prevent unauthorized local access. Finally, prepare incident response plans specifically addressing potential exploitation scenarios involving backup infrastructure compromise.