CVE-2025-31649 is a vulnerability identified in the Broadcom BCM5820X chipset, specifically impacting the Dell ControlVault3 and ControlVault3 Plus drivers before versions 5.15.14.19 and 6.2.36.47 respectively. The root cause is a hard-coded password within the ControlVault WBDI driver functionality, classified under CWE-908 (Use of Uninitialized Resource). This flaw allows an attacker with limited privileges (local access) to issue a specially crafted API call to the ControlVault, triggering privileged operations without requiring user interaction. The vulnerability compromises confidentiality and integrity by enabling unauthorized privileged command execution and has a minor impact on availability. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.7 reflects its high severity, with attack vector local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), privileges required low (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and scope changed (S:C). Although no public exploits are known, the vulnerability's characteristics make it a significant risk, especially in environments where attackers can gain local access. The ControlVault is a security subsystem embedded in Dell hardware for cryptographic and authentication functions, so exploitation could undermine device security at a fundamental level. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate risk mitigation through access controls and monitoring.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a serious threat to systems using Dell hardware with Broadcom BCM5820X components, particularly those relying on ControlVault for secure operations. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized privileged operations, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security controls, extract sensitive data, or manipulate system integrity. This could affect sectors with high reliance on Dell infrastructure, including finance, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure. The confidentiality of cryptographic keys or authentication credentials stored or managed by ControlVault could be compromised, leading to broader security breaches. The vulnerability's local attack vector means that insider threats or attackers who have gained initial footholds could escalate privileges rapidly. The impact on availability is limited but could occur if privileged operations disrupt normal device functions. Given the strategic importance of secure hardware modules in protecting European digital assets, this vulnerability could have cascading effects on trust and compliance with regulations such as GDPR and NIS Directive.

1. Monitor Dell and Broadcom advisories closely and apply official patches or firmware updates immediately upon release. 2. Restrict access to ControlVault APIs and related interfaces to trusted administrators only, using strict access control lists and network segmentation. 3. Implement enhanced logging and monitoring for unusual or unauthorized ControlVault API calls to detect potential exploitation attempts early. 4. Conduct regular audits of systems using affected hardware to identify any signs of compromise or misuse of privileged operations. 5. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior related to ControlVault interactions. 6. Limit local access to critical systems, enforcing strong physical security and multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of local privilege escalation. 7. Educate IT staff about this vulnerability and ensure incident response plans include scenarios involving ControlVault compromise. 8. Consider temporary compensating controls such as disabling vulnerable driver functionalities if feasible until patches are available.