SolarWinds Virtualization Manager Privilege Escalation
CVE-2016-3643 is a high-severity vulnerability in Virtualization Manager from SolarWinds, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected Virtualization Manager versions: 6.3.1 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on November 3, 2021, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.
Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.
What to do
- Check which version of Virtualization Manager you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- CISA's required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| SolarWinds | Virtualization Manager | 6.3.1 and earlier | Not stated |
Version data comes from NVD's product matching. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | CISA (ADP) |
| CVSS 2.0 | 7.2 | High | NVD |
Official description
SolarWinds Virtualization Manager 6.3.1 and earlier allow local users to gain privileges by leveraging a misconfiguration of sudo, as demonstrated by "sudo cat /etc/passwd."
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
- Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2016/Jun/26Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-3643US Government Resource
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/137487/Solarwinds-Virtualization-Manager-6.3.1-Privilege-Escalation.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- exploit-db.com/exploits/39967/Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
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