CVE-2026-80238: dell secure_connect_gateway Execution with Unnecessary Privileges

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2026-80238 is a critical (CVSS 9.3) Execution with Unnecessary Privileges vulnerability in dell secure_connect_gateway. EPSS estimates a 0.19% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 8% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 07-09-2026
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 08-09-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

Dell SCG 5.0 Appliance versions prior to 5.36.00.16 and Dell SCG 5.0 Application versions prior to 5.36.00.00, contains an Execution with Unnecessary Privileges vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker with local access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Protection mechanism bypass. This vulnerability is considered critical because a low-privileged operator with SSH access to the SCG host can gain root-level access to the host without requiring a password by leveraging the exposed Docker socket. Additionally, an attacker who compromises a service running within the orchestrator container can access the same socket and escape the container boundary to obtain host-level control. Dell recommends that customers upgrade at the earliest opportunity.

• CWE-250Execution with Unnecessary PrivilegesThe product performs an operation at a privilege level that is higher than the minimum level required, which creates new weaknesses or amplifies the consequences of other weaknesses.