What is the vulnerability of Dell Power Manager?

Recent advisories revealed local-privilege-escalation (LPE) flaws in Dell Power Manager (DPM).

CVE-2024-39576 affects DPM 3.15.0 and earlier; Dell fixed it in 3.16.0. Dell
CVE-2024-49600 affects versions prior to 3.17; Dell fixed it in 3.17. Dell

Update to the latest available version immediately.

What is Dell Power Manager (DPM)?

Dell Power Manager is Dell’s Windows utility for battery charging behavior, thermal/quiet modes (on certain models), and related power features. It runs with system privileges to manage hardware—precisely why any flaw in its services or permissions can be serious.

What exactly is the vulnerability?

Two modern issues (both LPE) were disclosed:

CVE-2024-39576 — Incorrect privilege assignment
Impacted: DPM 3.15.0 and prior.
Risk: A local, low-privileged user could execute code with elevated privileges.
Fix: DPM 3.16.0 or later. Dell+1
CVE-2024-49600 — Improper access control
Impacted: DPM versions prior to 3.17.
Risk: Local low-privileged users could escalate privileges to run code with higher rights.
Fix: DPM 3.17 or later. Dell+1

Historical note (2023):
CVE-2023-32450 (Improper Access Control) affected 3.3–3.14 and was remediated in 3.15; Dell listed no workarounds. Dell

Why it matters: These are not drive-by, over-the-internet hacks. An attacker must already have local access (or compromise a user). But once local, LPE bugs can help them gain admin-level control and disable defenses.

Who is affected?

Any Windows system running Dell Power Manager in the affected version ranges above.
Some newer consumer systems expose battery controls in MyDell or Dell Optimizer instead of the standalone DPM app. Those users should still keep Dell apps updated, but the specific CVEs above target the DPM package. Dell+1

How to check your DPM version (Windows 10/11)

Press Windows → open Installed apps / Apps & features.
Find Dell Power Manager and note the Version.
Or open the app → About (gear icon) → read the Version.
If you don’t see DPM, you may have MyDell or Dell Optimizer instead.

How to update to a safe version

Goal: Be on 3.17+ (covers both 2024 advisories). Dell

Option A — Microsoft Store

Open Microsoft Store.
Search Dell Power Manager → Update (or Install → Open).
Reboot if prompted.

Option B — Dell Drivers & Downloads

Go to Dell Support → Drivers & Downloads for your Service Tag/model.
Filter Application → locate Dell Power Manager with version 3.17 or newer (or 3.16.0 if you are remediating CVE-2024-39576 specifically).
Download, install, and reboot. Dell+1

Are there workarounds?

For the 2024 advisories, Dell lists no workarounds—apply the fixed builds. The 2023 advisory likewise listed “None.” Dell+2Dell+2

If you absolutely cannot update right now:

Limit local accounts and admin rights; avoid shared PCs without strict controls.
Use a standard user account for daily work; elevate only when needed.
Keep Windows and your security tools fully patched.

Enterprise quick actions

Inventory & target: Query software inventory for Dell Power Manager and versions <3.17.
Patch: Push 3.17+ broadly via your software distribution tool. Dell
Harden: Enforce least-privilege, application control, and credential guard.
Monitor: Hunt for suspicious service changes, new admin users, or binaries launched by DPM services.

FAQ

Is this remote code execution?
No. These are local privilege-escalation issues (LPE). They become dangerous after an attacker gains local execution. Dell+1

What CVSS scores are we talking about?

CVE-2024-39576: CVSS 8.8 (Scope: Changed). Dell
CVE-2024-49600: CVSS 7.8. Dell

Does this affect battery health or performance?
No—the issue concerns privileges/permissions, not cell chemistry or charge profiles.

What if I run much older Windows builds?
Still update DPM to the newest supported version for your model. If your system uses MyDell/Dell Optimizer instead, keep those up to date as well. Dell

Sources / further reading

Dell Security Advisory DSA-2024-439 — DPM prior to 3.17; fix: 3.17; no workarounds; CVE-2024-49600. Dell
NVD: CVE-2024-49600 — details & CVSS. NVD
Dell Security Advisory DSA-2024-323 — DPM 3.15.0 and prior; fix: 3.16.0; no workarounds; CVE-2024-39576. Dell
NVD: CVE-2024-39576 — details & CVSS. NVD
Dell Security Advisory DSA-2023-181 — DPM 3.3–3.14; fix: 3.15; no workarounds; CVE-2023-32450. Dell

Conclusion

If your laptop runs Dell Power Manager, check the version now. Updating to 3.17 or later closes the latest known LPE issues and keeps your system safer. Dell

If you want, I can tailor this post with screenshots and step-by-step update links for your exact models.