What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-21420?

CVE-2026-21420 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.3 (High). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.0%.

How to fix or mitigate CVE-2026-21420?

Within 24 hours: Identify all systems running Dell Repository Manager and document current versions. Within 7 days: Apply vendor patch 3.4.8 or later to all affected instances, prioritizing production and critical infrastructure systems. Within 30 days: Verify patch deployment across the entire environment and document completion for compliance records.

Repository Manager CVE-2026-21420

HIGH

Uncontrolled Search Path Element (CWE-427)

2026-02-23 security_alert@emc.com

Privilege Escalation Dell Repository Manager

7.3

CVSS 3.1 · NVD

View

Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

Access

Craft malicious executable in search path
Exploit

Local user executes DRM application
Execution

DRM loads attacker-controlled library
Impact

Execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness	CWE CWE-427 OWASP Top 10:2025 A08:2025 - Software or Data Integrity Failures ASVS 5.0 V13 - Configuration Search path element control
Exploitation Conditions	Dell Repository Manager versions prior to 3.4.8 with local user access. Requires user interaction (UI:R) to execute application. Attacker must place malicious executable in directory searched before legitimate DRM libraries during application startup.
Impact	CVSS 7.3 (HIGH). Attack vector: Local. Complexity: Low. Privileges required: Low. User interaction: Required. Exploitable via local access.
Exploit ScenarioDerived	An attacker could exploit this flaw, arbitrary code execution and escalation of privileges.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).

Patch available 0.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026

Dell Repository Manager versions before 3.4.8 suffer from an uncontrolled search path vulnerability that allows local attackers with low privileges to execute arbitrary code and escalate their access. An attacker with local system access and user interaction can exploit improper path handling to inject malicious code into the application's execution flow. A patch is available to remediate this HIGH severity issue affecting the repository management functionality.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)

v1 Mar 12, 2026 - 21:55 CVSS 7.3

Dell Repository Manager (DRM), versions prior to 3.4.8, contains an Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability. A low privileged attacker with local access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to arbitrary code execution and escalation of privileges. [CVSS 7.3 HIGH]

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available — apply it immediately.

Affects your stack

Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

Classified as CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element). Affects Repository Manager. Dell Repository Manager (DRM), versions prior to 3.4.8, contains an Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability. A low privileged attacker with local access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to arbitrary code execution and escalation of privileges.

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Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 7.3 HIGH

AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector

Local

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

Low

User Interaction

Required

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Lifecycle Timeline

Patch released

Feb 24, 2026 - 21:56 nvd

Patch available

CVE Published

Feb 23, 2026 - 14:16 nvd

HIGH 7.3

DescriptionCVE.org

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

Dell Repository Manager versions prior to 3.4.8 contain a privilege escalation vulnerability that could allow local attackers to execute arbitrary code and gain elevated system access. Organizations running affected versions should prioritize patching to prevent unauthorized access to repository systems and potential lateral movement within the infrastructure.

Business Impact: High

Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch. If immediate patching is not feasible: restrict local access to DRM systems through access controls, disable unnecessary DRM features if operationally viable, implement application whitelisting on DRM servers, and monitor for suspicious process execution patterns indicative of exploitation attempts.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score

0.0%

Top 98% exploitable

Data Quality

3 sources

Confidence: Low

NVD

CVE.org

EPSS

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue

Severity HIGH

CISA KEV No

Public POC No

EPSS 0.0%

Patch available Yes

Active threat No

Deciding rule

HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)

What every action level means

Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.

Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived

Scheduled

Exploitation· derived

None

System Exposure· derived

Small

Automatable· derived

Human Impact

High

Priority Score

Low Medium High Critical

KEV: 0

EPSS: 0

CVSS: +36

PoC: 0

Weaponized: 0

Threat intel: 0

Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Privilege Escalation HIGH

Privilege escalation occurs when an attacker leverages flaws in access control mechanisms to gain permissions beyond what they were originally granted.