CVE-2025-31361
📋 TL;DR
A privilege escalation vulnerability in Dell ControlVault3 and ControlVault3 Plus biometric drivers allows attackers to gain elevated system privileges through a specially crafted WinBioControlUnit API call. This affects systems running vulnerable versions of these drivers, potentially compromising Windows systems with biometric authentication enabled.
💻 Affected Systems
- Dell ControlVault3
- Dell ControlVault3 Plus
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with SYSTEM/administrator privileges, enabling installation of malware, data theft, and persistence mechanisms.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation allowing attackers to bypass security controls, access sensitive data, and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls, least privilege principles, and network segmentation are implemented.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires ability to make WinBioControlUnit API calls, typically requiring some level of initial access. Technical details are public but no known exploit code.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: ControlVault3: 5.15.14.19 or later, ControlVault3 Plus: 6.2.36.47 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000326061/dsa-2025-228
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download latest driver from Dell Support site. 2. Run installer with administrative privileges. 3. Restart system when prompted. 4. Verify driver version in Device Manager.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable biometric authentication
windowsTemporarily disable biometric authentication features to prevent exploitation
Disable via Windows Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Windows Hello
Restrict WinBioControlUnit API access
windowsApply application control policies to restrict access to vulnerable API
Configure via Windows Defender Application Control or AppLocker policies
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict least privilege principles - ensure users run with minimal necessary permissions
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check driver version in Device Manager > Biometric devices > ControlVault3 properties > Driver tabCheck Version:
wmic path Win32_PnPSignedDriver where "DeviceName like '%ControlVault%'" get DeviceName, DriverVersionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify driver version is 5.15.14.19 or later for ControlVault3, or 6.2.36.47 or later for ControlVault3 Plus📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual WinBioControlUnit API calls
- Privilege escalation events in Windows Security logs
- Driver loading anomalies
Network Indicators:
- Not network exploitable - local privilege escalation only
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND (ProcessName LIKE '%winbio%' OR CommandLine LIKE '%WinBioControlUnit%') AND NewProcessName LIKE '%cmd%' OR NewProcessName LIKE '%powershell%'