Introduction
Attackers can bypass hardware-based security controls on Dell business laptops by exploiting a hard-coded password in the ControlVault3 driver, leading to unauthorized privileged operations. This vulnerability directly impacts credential storage, biometric authentication, and cryptographic key management on affected systems, with significant implications for enterprise and government environments.
Dell Technologies is one of the world's largest PC manufacturers, with a strong presence in the enterprise and government sectors. The ControlVault3 platform is widely deployed in Latitude and Precision laptop lines, providing hardware-backed security for millions of devices globally. The security and reliability of this subsystem are critical for organizations relying on Dell endpoints for sensitive operations.
Technical Information
CVE-2025-31649 arises from a hard-coded password or authentication bypass in the ControlVault WBDI (Windows Biometric Device Interface) Driver. The WBDI driver is responsible for mediating access between the Windows operating system and the ControlVault hardware security subsystem, which manages fingerprint sensors, smart card readers, and cryptographic storage.
In affected versions, the driver fails to properly validate authentication credentials for privileged API calls. An attacker can craft specific ControlVault API requests that the driver accepts without requiring the correct credentials. This enables local attackers to:
- Execute privileged firmware operations
- Extract cryptographic keys or biometric templates from the secure enclave
- Modify firmware or biometric data
The vulnerability can be triggered by any local user, not just administrators, which increases risk in shared or multi-user environments. The root cause is improper credential validation, violating least privilege and secure design principles. This flaw is part of a broader set of issues disclosed as part of the "ReVault" research, where multiple vulnerabilities in ControlVault firmware and APIs can be chained for advanced attacks. No public code snippets are available for this CVE.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Dell ControlVault3 WBDI Driver versions prior to 5.15.14.19
- Dell ControlVault3 Plus WBDI Driver versions prior to 6.2.36.47
These drivers are used in a wide range of Dell Latitude and Precision laptops. Systems running affected versions are vulnerable regardless of configuration if the ControlVault device is present and active.
Vendor Security History
Dell has previously faced security issues in firmware and drivers, including other vulnerabilities in the ControlVault platform. The "ReVault" research disclosed multiple related flaws in 2025, and Dell's response included a coordinated patch rollout and public advisories. The company maintains a security advisory portal and provides detailed remediation guidance, but has received criticism for staggered patch releases and communication delays in some cases.
