CVE-2026-22281 is a vulnerability classified as CWE-367, a Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition, found in Dell PowerScale OneFS storage operating system across multiple versions from 9.5.0.0 through versions prior to 9.13.0.0. The flaw arises when the system performs a check on a resource or condition and then uses that resource without revalidating it, allowing an attacker to exploit the timing gap between these operations. A low privileged attacker with adjacent network access—meaning they must be on the same or a closely connected network segment—can exploit this race condition to trigger a denial of service. The attack does not compromise confidentiality or integrity but can disrupt availability by causing the system or service to crash or become unresponsive. The vulnerability does not require user interaction, making automated or scripted exploitation feasible within the network scope. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 3.5 reflects the low impact on confidentiality and integrity, limited scope, and the requirement for adjacent network access and low privileges. No public exploit code or active exploitation has been reported, but the presence of the vulnerability in widely used enterprise storage systems necessitates attention. The lack of patch links suggests that fixes may be forthcoming or that users should consult Dell support for updates. Organizations relying on Dell PowerScale OneFS for critical storage infrastructure should assess their exposure and prepare to deploy patches promptly once available.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2026-22281 is the potential for denial of service on critical storage infrastructure, which can disrupt business operations, data availability, and service continuity. Enterprises using Dell PowerScale OneFS for large-scale data storage, backup, or file sharing could experience outages or degraded performance if exploited. While the vulnerability does not allow data theft or modification, the loss of availability can affect compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR, especially if data access is interrupted during critical periods. The requirement for adjacent network access limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk within corporate networks or data centers. Organizations with segmented or well-controlled network environments may reduce exposure, but those with flat or poorly segmented networks face higher risk. The low privilege requirement means that even non-administrative users or compromised internal hosts could trigger the issue, emphasizing the need for internal network security controls. Overall, the impact is moderate but significant for operational continuity in data-centric European enterprises.

1. Network Segmentation: Restrict access to Dell PowerScale OneFS management and data interfaces to trusted network segments only, minimizing adjacent network exposure. 2. Access Controls: Enforce strict role-based access controls and limit low privileged user capabilities to reduce the chance of exploitation. 3. Monitoring and Logging: Implement enhanced monitoring for unusual system behavior or service interruptions on PowerScale OneFS nodes to detect potential exploitation attempts early. 4. Patch Management: Engage with Dell support to obtain and apply patches or firmware updates as soon as they become available to remediate the vulnerability. 5. Incident Response Preparation: Develop and test incident response plans specifically for storage system availability issues to minimize downtime impact. 6. Network Access Controls: Use firewalls and network access control lists (ACLs) to limit lateral movement within the network, reducing the risk from compromised internal hosts. 7. User Awareness: Educate internal users about the risks of adjacent network attacks and encourage reporting of unusual system behavior. These measures collectively reduce the attack surface and improve detection and response capabilities beyond generic advice.