# CVE-2026-81481: Dell OpenManage Server Administrator path traversal in filesystem access

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81481-dell-openmanage-server-administrator-path-traversal-in-filesystem  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-17. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-81481 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.5 · Published 2026-09-17

Dell OpenManage Server Administrator is a management tool used to monitor and administer Dell servers. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit a path traversal vulnerability to read or access arbitrary files on the affected system, potentially exposing sensitive configuration data, credentials, or other critical information stored on the server.

Technologies: [Dell OpenManage Server Administrator](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/openmanage-server-administrator). Vendors: [Dell](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/dell).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-81481 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-81481 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-81481?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 17 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Dell OpenManage Server Administrator prior to 11.1.0.3.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-81481?** A patch was published on 2026-09-17: Fix available in version 11.1.0.3 and later Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-81481 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-81481?** Check whether you run Dell OpenManage Server Administrator 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

CVE-2026-81481 is a path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) in Dell OpenManage Server Administrator versions prior to 11.1.0.3. An unauthenticated attacker with network access can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious requests containing traversal sequences (e.g., "../") to bypass directory restrictions and access files outside the intended restricted directory. This allows filesystem access and information disclosure. The vulnerability requires only network connectivity and no authentication or user interaction. A patch is available in version 11.1.0.3 and later.

## Affected products

- Dell OpenManage Server Administrator prior to 11.1.0.3

## Timeline

- 2026-09-17: disclosed
- 2026-09-17: patched: Fix available in version 11.1.0.3 and later

## References

- [https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000506586/dsa-2026-403-security-update-for-dell-openmanage-server-administrator-omsa-network-access-vulnerabilitiesv](https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000506586/dsa-2026-403-security-update-for-dell-openmanage-server-administrator-omsa-network-access-vulnerabilitiesv)

## Related threats

- [Dell OpenManage Server Administrator improper certificate validation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81447-dell-openmanage-server-administrator-improper-certificate)
- [Dell OpenManage Server Administrator SSRF vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81446-dell-openmanage-server-administrator-ssrf-vulnerability)
- [Dell OpenManage Server Administrator privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81445-dell-openmanage-server-administrator-privilege-escalation)
- [Dell OpenManage Server Administrator information exposure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-80356-dell-openmanage-server-administrator-information-exposure)
- [Dell OpenManage Server Administrator path traversal](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81453-dell-openmanage-server-administrator-path-traversal)