# CVE-2026-79961: Dell Secure Connect Gateway missing authentication for critical function

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-79961-dell-secure-connect-gateway-missing-authentication-for-critical  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-09. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-79961 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.3 · Published 2026-09-09

Dell Secure Connect Gateway (SCG) is a remote access and VPN appliance used to secure connections to corporate networks. Versions prior to 5.36.00.16 (appliance) and 5.36.00.00 (application) lack proper authentication controls on critical functions, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to gain unauthorized access without valid credentials.

Technologies: [Dell Secure Connect Gateway Appliance](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/secure-connect-gateway-appliance), [Dell Secure Connect Gateway Application](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/secure-connect-gateway-application). Vendors: [Dell](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/dell).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-79961 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-79961 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-79961?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.3, published 9 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Dell Secure Connect Gateway Appliance 5.0 prior to 5.36.00.16; Dell Secure Connect Gateway Application 5.0 prior to 5.36.00.00.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-79961?** 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-2026-79961 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-79961?** Check whether you run Dell Secure Connect Gateway Appliance or Dell Secure Connect Gateway Application 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 a missing authentication control (CWE-306) affecting critical functions in Dell SCG 5.0. An unauthenticated attacker with network access can exploit this by directly accessing protected functions without providing credentials. The vulnerability has no preconditions—no authentication, special privileges, or user interaction is required. An attacker can achieve unauthorized access to the system. Patches are available in SCG 5.0 Appliance version 5.36.00.16 and SCG 5.0 Application version 5.36.00.00 or later; customers should upgrade immediately.

## Affected products

- Dell Secure Connect Gateway Appliance 5.0 prior to 5.36.00.16
- Dell Secure Connect Gateway Application 5.0 prior to 5.36.00.00

## Timeline

- 2026-09-09: disclosed: CVE-2026-79961 published

## References

- [https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-in/000503426/dsa-2026-382-security-update-for-dell-secure-connect-gateway-virtual-edition-multiple-vulnerabilities](https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-in/000503426/dsa-2026-382-security-update-for-dell-secure-connect-gateway-virtual-edition-multiple-vulnerabilities)

## Related threats

- [Dell Secure Connect Gateway OS command injection vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-79947-dell-secure-connect-gateway-os-command-injection-vulnerability)
- [Dell Secure Connect Gateway OS command injection in local process](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-79945-dell-secure-connect-gateway-os-command-injection-in-local-process)
- [Dell Secure Connect Gateway least privilege violation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-79944-dell-secure-connect-gateway-least-privilege-violation)
- [Dell Secure Connect Gateway execution with unnecessary privileges](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-79942-dell-secure-connect-gateway-execution-with-unnecessary-privileges)
- [Dell Secure Connect Gateway hard-coded cryptographic key](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-79735-dell-secure-connect-gateway-hard-coded-cryptographic-key)