CVE-2020-5316

Privileged code execution via uncontrolled DLL search path

Published Jul 22, 2021 · Updated Sep 17, 2024

Uncontrolled DLL search in Dell SupportAssist Client Business 2.1.3 and earlier and Home 3.4 and earlier allows local users to run elevated code. SupportAssist binaries search an attacker-controllable path and load a planted DLL instead of the intended library. A locally authenticated, low-privileged account must place a crafted DLL where a privileged SupportAssist binary searches; successful loading executes its code with that binary's privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.29%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Uncontrolled DLL search in Dell SupportAssist Client Business 2.1.3 and earlier and Home 3.4 and earlier allows local users to run elevated code. SupportAssist binaries search an attacker-controllable path and load a planted DLL instead of the intended library. A locally authenticated, low-privileged account must place a crafted DLL where a privileged SupportAssist binary searches; successful loading executes its code with that binary's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-5316
Published
Jul 22, 2021
Updated
Sep 17, 2024
Vendor
Dell
Product
Dell SupportAssist Client
Classifications
CWE-427, T1574.001
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 22, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 17, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=unspecified <Dell SupportAssist for Business PCs version 2.1.4 and Dell SupportAssist for Home PCs version 3.4.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Dell · Dell SupportAssist Clientversion=unspecified <Dell SupportAssist for Business PCs version 2.1.4 and Dell SupportAssist for Home PCs version 3.4.1

Published CVSS scores

4.6NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
7.8DellCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-427Uncontrolled Search Path Element
T1574.001Hijack Execution Flow: DLL Search Order Hijacking

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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