VMware Server Side Request Forgery in vRealize Operations Manager API
CVE-2021-21975 is a high-severity server-side request forgery vulnerability in VMware vRealize Operations, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected VMware vRealize Operations versions: VMware vRealize Operations prior to 8.4. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on January 18, 2022, which means attacks have been observed in the wild, including in ransomware campaigns.
Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.
What to do
- Check which version of VMware vRealize Operations you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- CISA's required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- Read the advisory on vmware.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| VMware vRealize Operations | VMware vRealize Operations | VMware vRealize Operations prior to 8.4 | Not stated |
| VMware | Cloud Foundation | 3.0; 3.0.1; 3.0.1.1; 3.5; 3.5.1; 3.7; 3.7.1; 3.7.2; and 7 more ranges | Not stated |
| VMware | Vrealize Operations Manager | 7.0.0; 7.5.0; 8.0.0; 8.0.1; 8.1.0; 8.1.1; 8.2.0; 8.3.0 | Not stated |
| VMware | Vrealize Suite Lifecycle Manager | 8.0; 8.0.1; 8.1; 8.2 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- 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
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | CISA (ADP) |
| CVSS 2.0 | 5.0 | Medium | NVD |
Official description
Server Side Request Forgery in vRealize Operations Manager API (CVE-2021-21975) prior to 8.4 may allow a malicious actor with network access to the vRealize Operations Manager API can perform a Server Side Request Forgery attack to steal administrative credentials.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Server-Side Request Forgery
The web server receives a URL or similar request from an upstream component and retrieves the contents of this URL, but it does not sufficiently ensure that the request is being sent to the expected destination.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- If there is a known list of applications, IP, hostname, and/or domains to which the product is allowed to communicate, then use allowlists to ensure that outgoing requests are restricted to these known entities. The allowlists could be in the application code or possibly enforced by firewalls or network segmentation.
- If the product is expected to be able to connect to arbitrary IP addresses or domains, consider using a denylist that includes private network addresses, internal domain names, etc. The denylist could be in the application code or possibly enforced by firewalls or network segmentation.
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: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-21975US Government Resource
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/162349/VMware-vRealize-Operations-Manager-Server-Side-Request-Forgery-Code-Exec…Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
Other vulnerabilities in VMware vRealize Operations
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
Recent Server-Side Request Forgery vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 5.3 Medium severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.2 High severity
Adminer Server-Side Request Forgery Exploited
- 9.8 Critical severity
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