# CVE-2026-53481 — Dell PowerProtect Data Domain

> As of 2026-07-08, CVE-2026-53481 is a CRITICAL-severity vulnerability in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, CVSS v3.1 9.8, EPSS 0.6% (48.7th percentile). Threadlinqs Intelligence links 1 tracked threat campaign to CVE-2026-53481, most recently “Dell PowerProtect Data Domain Multiple Vulnerabilities: Improper Authentication (CVE-2026-53483) and Path Traversal (CVE-2026-53481) Allow Full Remote System Access”.

**Last updated:** 2026-07-08

## What is CVE-2026-53481?

Dell PowerProtect Data Domain, versions 7.7.1.0 through 8.7, LTS2026 release version 8.6.1.0 through 8.6.1.10, LTS2025 release version 8.3.1.0 through 8.3.1.30, LTS2024 release versions 7.13.1.0 through 7.13.1.70 contain an improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker with remote access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to unauthorized access to the system. This is a critical severity vulnerability as it allows an attacker to take complete control of system; so Dell recommends customers to upgrade at the earliest opportunity.

The record classifies CVE-2026-53481 under weakness class [CWE-22](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cwe/CWE-22). Its CVSS v3 base vector states that the flaw is reachable remotely over the network, needs no prior authentication, needs no user interaction, and has high impact on confidentiality, integrity, availability. 1 affected-product entry is recorded, across 1 vendor, listed below. The identifier was first published 114 days ago.

## Severity and exploitation probability

- **CVSS v3.1 base score:** 9.8 — CRITICAL (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **EPSS (FIRST):** 0.6% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 48.7% of all scored CVEs
- **CISA KEV:** Not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
- **Threadlinqs priority:** 6.8/10 — a Threadlinqs composite of the CVSS base score, the EPSS percentile and public exploit availability
- **Published:** 2026-07-07, last modified 2026-07-08

## Is CVE-2026-53481 being exploited?

It currently carries a trending score of 23 in the Threadlinqs vulnerability feed.

## Affected products and versions

- [Dell](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/vendors/dell): PowerProtect Data Domain

## How to fix CVE-2026-53481

Vendor advisory: [https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000481268/dsa-2026-278-security-update-for-dell-powerprotect-data-domain-multiple-vulnerabilities](https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000481268/dsa-2026-278-security-update-for-dell-powerprotect-data-domain-multiple-vulnerabilities). Apply the vendor fix referenced above to every affected product listed in this record, then confirm the running version against the vendor advisory.

## Threat activity tracking CVE-2026-53481

1 tracked threat in the Threadlinqs corpus references CVE-2026-53481, either in the campaign’s CVE list or as an indicator on the campaign record.

- [Dell PowerProtect Data Domain Multiple Vulnerabilities: Improper Authentication (CVE-2026-53483) and Path Traversal (CVE-2026-53481) Allow Full Remote System Access](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1371) — CRITICAL · 2026-07-15

## Sources

Enriched from CVE.org, NVD, FIRST EPSS. Last verified by Threadlinqs on 2026-10-10. This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.

**Vendor advisory and patch**

- [dell.com — vendor advisory](https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000481268/dsa-2026-278-security-update-for-dell-powerprotect-data-domain-multiple-vulnerabilities)

Canonical: https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2026-53481
Full detection coverage and IOCs for threats exploiting CVE-2026-53481 via the Threadlinqs MCP server (Purple tier): https://intel.threadlinqs.com/mcp