CVE-2025-36574 is a high-severity Absolute Path Traversal vulnerability (CWE-36) found in Dell Wyse Management Suite versions prior to 5.2. This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to manipulate file paths in requests to the management suite, bypassing normal directory restrictions. By exploiting this flaw, the attacker can access arbitrary files on the underlying server filesystem outside the intended directories. This can lead to significant information disclosure, including sensitive configuration files, credentials, or other critical data stored on the device. The vulnerability does not require any authentication or user interaction, making it highly accessible to remote attackers with network access to the management interface. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.2 reflects the ease of exploitation (network vector, no privileges required, no user interaction) and the high impact on confidentiality, with limited impact on integrity and no impact on availability. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, the nature of the vulnerability and the critical role of Wyse Management Suite in managing thin clients and endpoint devices make it a significant threat. The lack of a patch at the time of publication increases the urgency for organizations to implement compensating controls and monitor for suspicious activity. Dell Wyse Management Suite is widely used in enterprise environments for centralized management of thin clients, especially in sectors relying on virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). The vulnerability could be leveraged to gain unauthorized access to sensitive operational data or to facilitate further lateral movement within a network.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability is considerable due to the widespread use of Dell Wyse Management Suite in industries such as finance, healthcare, government, and large enterprises that rely on thin client deployments. Unauthorized access to configuration files or credentials could lead to broader compromise of endpoint management infrastructure, exposing sensitive personal data protected under GDPR and other privacy regulations. Information disclosure could also undermine operational security, allowing attackers to map network topology or escalate privileges. The vulnerability’s unauthenticated nature means attackers can exploit it remotely without needing internal access, increasing the risk of external threat actors targeting European organizations. This could result in regulatory fines, reputational damage, and operational disruptions. Additionally, the exposure of management data could facilitate supply chain attacks or ransomware campaigns targeting critical infrastructure and services within Europe.

1. Immediate deployment of any available patches or updates from Dell once released, specifically upgrading to Wyse Management Suite version 5.2 or later. 2. Until patches are available, restrict network access to the Wyse Management Suite management interface using network segmentation, firewalls, and VPNs to limit exposure to trusted administrators only. 3. Implement strict access control lists (ACLs) and monitor logs for unusual file access patterns or path traversal attempts. 4. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block path traversal payloads targeting the management suite. 5. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability scans focused on management infrastructure. 6. Educate IT staff about the risks of path traversal vulnerabilities and the importance of timely patching. 7. Consider deploying intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) tuned to detect exploitation attempts of CWE-36 vulnerabilities. 8. Maintain an incident response plan specifically addressing potential breaches of management systems to enable rapid containment and remediation.