# CVE-2026-79938: Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery improper authentication

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-79938-dell-powerprotect-cyber-recovery-improper-authentication  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-08-26. Updated: 2026-09-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-79938 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.6 · Published 2026-08-26

Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery is a backup and disaster recovery solution used by enterprises to protect critical data and systems. Versions prior to 20.3 contain an authentication flaw that allows a low-privileged attacker with network access to gain unauthorized access to the system, potentially exposing backup data and recovery capabilities to compromise.

Technologies: [Dell Powerprotect Cyber Recovery](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/powerprotect-cyber-recovery). Vendors: [Dell](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/dell).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-79938 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-79938 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-79938?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.6, published 26 August 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Dell Powerprotect Cyber Recovery prior to 20.3.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-79938?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-79938 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-79938?** Check whether you run Dell Powerprotect Cyber Recovery at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

This vulnerability is classified as improper authentication affecting Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery versions prior to 20.3. A low-privileged attacker with remote network access can exploit the authentication bypass to gain unauthorized access to the system. The vulnerability allows an attacker to circumvent authentication controls, potentially leading to unauthorized system access, data exposure, and manipulation of recovery operations. Dell has released a security update (DSA-2026-370) addressing this and multiple third-party component vulnerabilities; systems should be updated to version 20.3 or later.

## Affected products

- Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery prior to 20.3

## Timeline

- 2026-08-26: disclosed
- 2026-08-26: advisory

## References

- [https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000501456/dsa-2026-370-security-update-for-dell-powerprotect-cyber-recovery-multiple-third-party-component-vulnerabilities](https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000501456/dsa-2026-370-security-update-for-dell-powerprotect-cyber-recovery-multiple-third-party-component-vulnerabilities)

## Related threats

- [Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery symlink following vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-79939-dell-powerprotect-cyber-recovery-symlink-following-vulnerability)
- [Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery SQL injection](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-49809-dell-powerprotect-cyber-recovery-sql-injection)