CVE-2024-28964
📋 TL;DR
Dell Common Event Enabler versions 8.9.10.0 and earlier contain an insecure deserialization vulnerability in CAVATools. A local unauthenticated attacker can exploit this by tricking a user into opening a malicious file, leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the logged-in user. This affects Windows systems running vulnerable versions of Dell Common Event Enabler.
💻 Affected Systems
- Dell Common Event Enabler
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise via arbitrary code execution with user privileges, potentially leading to lateral movement, data theft, or ransomware deployment.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation or malware installation on the victim's system when a user opens a malicious file.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper application whitelisting, least privilege, and file execution restrictions are in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Attack is unauthenticated but requires social engineering or file placement to trick user into opening malicious file.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Update to version newer than 8.9.10.0 (check Dell advisory for exact fixed version)
Vendor Advisory: https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000224987/dsa-2024-179-security-update-for-dell-emc-common-event-enabler-windows-for-cavatools-vulnerabilities
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download the latest version from Dell Support. 2. Run the installer as administrator. 3. Follow on-screen prompts. 4. Restart the system when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict file execution from untrusted locations
windowsUse application control policies to prevent execution of untrusted files.
Configure Windows AppLocker or similar to restrict CAVATools file execution
Remove or disable CAVATools if not needed
windowsUninstall or disable the vulnerable CAVATools component.
Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall Dell Common Event Enabler or disable CAVATools service
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict least privilege: Ensure users run with minimal necessary permissions.
- Use application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized files and monitor for suspicious file opens.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Dell Common Event Enabler version in Control Panel > Programs or via 'wmic product get name,version' command.Check Version:
wmic product where "name like 'Dell Common Event Enabler%'" get name,versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify installed version is newer than 8.9.10.0 and check Dell advisory for confirmation.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Windows Event Logs showing unexpected process creation from CAVATools or related components
- Security logs with suspicious file access or execution events
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from the system post-exploitation
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND (ProcessName LIKE '%cavatools%' OR CommandLine CONTAINS 'CAVATools')🔗 References
- https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000224987/dsa-2024-179-security-update-for-dell-emc-common-event-enabler-windows-for-cavatools-vulnerabilities
- https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000224987/dsa-2024-179-security-update-for-dell-emc-common-event-enabler-windows-for-cavatools-vulnerabilities
