CVE-2024-22447: Dell Peripheral Manager DLL Preloading Vulnerability (v1.7.3 Patch)

Technical summary

CVE-2024-22447 is an uncontrolled search path element vulnerability (CWE-427) in Dell Peripheral Manager prior to version 1.7.3. The application fails to restrict or validate the directories it searches when loading dynamic libraries, enabling DLL preloading attacks. An attacker with local system access can craft a malicious DLL with the same name as a legitimate library and place it in a predictable search location. When Peripheral Manager starts or loads components, it may load the attacker's DLL instead of the legitimate one, resulting in arbitrary code execution within the application's privilege context.

Business impact

Successful exploitation could allow an authenticated local attacker to gain code execution on systems running affected versions of Dell Peripheral Manager. Depending on the account privileges and system configuration, this could lead to data theft, system compromise, installation of persistent malware, or lateral movement within the network. Organizations relying on Peripheral Manager for device management should treat this as a containment risk, particularly in environments where multiple users share systems or where unprivileged accounts have write access to shared directories.

Affected systems

Dell Peripheral Manager versions prior to 1.7.3 are vulnerable. Verify your installation version through the application's About or Settings menu. The vulnerability requires local access to the system, so only organizations with Peripheral Manager deployed and users capable of writing files to system paths are at direct risk.

Exploitability

The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction (CVSS vector AC:H/PR:L/UI:R), making opportunistic remote exploitation unlikely. However, it is practical in multi-user environments, shared workstations, or scenarios where an attacker has already obtained local system access through other means. The barrier to exploitation is moderate—an attacker must identify the correct DLL name and write location—but not prohibitively high for determined adversaries.

Remediation

Upgrade Dell Peripheral Manager to version 1.7.3 or later. This patch version addresses the search path validation issue. After upgrading, verify the installation and restart the service to ensure the patched version is active.

Patch guidance

Download and install Dell Peripheral Manager version 1.7.3 or later from Dell's support portal or software repository. Test the upgrade in a non-production environment first to ensure compatibility with your device management workflows. Confirm the new version is running post-installation by checking the application version in Settings. Organizations on older versions should prioritize this update, as it closes a local privilege escalation and code execution vector.

Detection guidance

Monitor for suspicious DLL files appearing in system directories or application search paths with timestamps coinciding with system access or privilege escalation attempts. Review file creation logs in Program Files, System32, and user-writable directories for unexpected library files matching names commonly used by Peripheral Manager. Watch for Peripheral Manager process crashes or unexpected child processes, which may indicate failed or successful DLL injection attempts. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools can flag unsigned or mismatched DLL loads.

Why prioritize this

Despite a CVSS score of 6.7 (Medium), this vulnerability warrants prompt attention because it enables local code execution and requires only moderate attacker sophistication. The attack is practical in shared computing environments and can serve as a post-compromise persistence or privilege escalation mechanism. Organizations should treat this as part of a defense-in-depth strategy, especially if Peripheral Manager is deployed on systems handling sensitive data or critical infrastructure integration.

Risk score, explained

The CVSS 3.1 score of 6.7 reflects a Medium severity profile driven by: local attack vector (AV:L), limiting scope to the victim's system (S:U), and requirement for legitimate credentials and user interaction (PR:L/UI:R) to trigger exploitation. However, the consequences—high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H)—justify close monitoring and timely patching. The score does not account for environmental factors such as system criticality or data sensitivity, which should influence internal prioritization.

Frequently asked questions