# CVE-2026-80238: Dell Secure Connect Gateway execution with unnecessary privileges via Docker socket

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-80238-dell-secure-connect-gateway-execution-with-unnecessary-privileges  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-07. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-80238 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.3 · Published 2026-09-07

Dell Secure Connect Gateway is a VPN/connectivity appliance used by enterprises to provide secure remote access. A vulnerability in versions prior to 5.36.00 allows attackers with local access to gain complete control of the system by exploiting an exposed Docker socket—either directly via SSH or by escaping from a container. This gives attackers root-level privileges without authentication, bypassing all security controls.

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-2026-80238 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-80238 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-80238?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.3, published 7 September 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-80238?** A patch was published on 2026-09-07: Fixed in Appliance 5.36.00.16 and Application 5.36.00.00 Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-80238 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-80238?** 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

The vulnerability is an execution with unnecessary privileges issue (CWE-250) affecting Dell SCG 5.0 Appliance versions prior to 5.36.00.16 and Application versions prior to 5.36.00.00. The root cause is an exposed Docker socket accessible to low-privileged users on the host and to container processes. Attack vectors include: (1) SSH access by a low-privileged operator who can leverage the Docker socket to gain root access without a password, or (2) a compromised service in the orchestrator container that can access the socket to escape the container and obtain host-level control. No authentication is required. The attack is local in scope but allows complete host compromise. Patches are available in the fixed versions.

## Affected products

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

## Timeline

- 2026-09-07: disclosed: Published in DSA-2026-382
- 2026-09-07: patched: Fixed in Appliance 5.36.00.16 and Application 5.36.00.00

## References

- [https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-in/000503426/dsa-2026-382-security-update-for-dell-secure-connect-gateway-virtual-edition-multiple-vulnerabilities?msockid=3021cac2195069ed3194ddad186a68f9](https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-in/000503426/dsa-2026-382-security-update-for-dell-secure-connect-gateway-virtual-edition-multiple-vulnerabilities?msockid=3021cac2195069ed3194ddad186a68f9)

## 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)