Analysis Dell ships Windows computers with software that lets websites slurp up the machine's exact specifications, warranty status, and other details without the user knowing.

This information can be used to build a fingerprint that potentially identifies a person while she browses across the web. It can be abused by phishers and scammers, who can quote the information to trick victims into thinking they're talking to a legit Dell employee. And, well, it's just plain rude.

A website created by a bloke called Slipstream – previously in these pages for exposing security holes in UK school IT software – shows exactly how it can work.

This proof-of-concept code exploits a weakness in the design of Dell's support software to access the computer's seven-character service tag – an identifier that Dell's support website uses to look up information on the machine, including the model number, installed components, and warranty data.

Visit Slip's page above to see it in action – assuming you have a Dell running Dell Foundation Services. Be warned, though, it does play some fun chiptune music, so mute your speakers if you're still at work.

Slipstream says his website does not exploit the eDellRoot root CA certificate that turned up in new models of Dell laptops and PCs – but the Dell Foundation Services software that uses the dodgy cert.

As documented by Duo Security, Dell Foundation Services starts up a web server on TCP port 7779 that accepts requests for the service tag.

All a website has to do is, in JavaScript, request this URL:

http://localhost:7779/Dell%20Foundation%20Services/eDell/IeDellCapabilitiesApi/REST/ServiceTag

and the foundation services returns exactly that – the service tag. No authentication required. This serial code can then be fed into Dell's support site to look up information about the machine.

The Register has tested the proof-of-concept site and verified that it does indeed pull up the service code on an Inspiron 15 series laptop bought in July. Slipstream also confirmed to The Reg that his script works even when the vulnerable root CA cert is removed by Dell's prescribed methods.

Aside from the possibility that a scammer could use the support number to gain user trust for a phony tech support call or other security con job, the proof-of-concept demonstrates just how deeply a third party can probe into a user's system by exploiting Dell's now-notorious support tools.

Dell was thrust into the spotlight yesterday when researchers first broke word of eDellRoot, a rogue certificate authority quietly installed on Windows machines that can be exploited by man-in-the-middle attackers to decrypt people's encrypted web traffic.

The Texas PC-slinger said the issue was merely a mishap related to its user support tools. Dell bristled at suggestions the flaw should be considered malware or adware, but nonetheless it has provided users with a removal tool.

The American biz has also pushed a software update that will automatically remove the vulnerable root CA cert from its machines. ®