CVE-2025-36582
📋 TL;DR
Dell NetWorker versions 19.12.0.1 and earlier contain an algorithm downgrade vulnerability that allows unauthenticated remote attackers to force the use of weaker cryptographic algorithms. This could lead to information disclosure through decryption of intercepted communications. Organizations running vulnerable Dell NetWorker versions are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Dell NetWorker
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could decrypt sensitive backup data, configuration information, or authentication credentials transmitted over the network, potentially leading to data breaches or further system compromise.
Likely Case
Attackers intercept and decrypt network communications to access sensitive information about backup operations, system configurations, or potentially authentication data.
If Mitigated
With proper network segmentation and encryption controls, impact is limited to potential information disclosure about backup operations without access to actual backup data.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires network access to the NetWorker service and the ability to intercept or manipulate network traffic.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 19.12.0.2 or later
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download the latest NetWorker update from Dell Support. 2. Apply the patch following Dell's installation instructions. 3. Restart NetWorker services. 4. Verify the update was successful.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Segmentation
allRestrict network access to NetWorker services to trusted networks only
TLS Configuration Hardening
allConfigure NetWorker to use only strong cryptographic algorithms and disable weak protocols
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate NetWorker from untrusted networks
- Monitor network traffic for unusual patterns or attempted downgrade attacks
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check NetWorker version via administration console or command line: nsr -vCheck Version:
nsr -vVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 19.12.0.2 or later and test secure algorithm negotiation📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Failed cryptographic negotiations
- Unexpected algorithm selections
- Connection attempts from unusual sources
Network Indicators:
- Protocol downgrade attempts
- Unusual negotiation patterns
- Traffic analysis showing weak algorithm usage
SIEM Query:
source="networker" AND (event_type="negotiation_failure" OR algorithm="weak_*" OR protocol_version="old_*")