VMware vCenter Server Incorrect Default File Permissions
CVE-2022-22948 is a medium-severity incorrect default permissions vulnerability in VMware vCenter Server and VMware Cloud Foundation, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on July 17, 2024, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.
Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.
What to do
- Update cloud_foundation to 5.0 or 3.11, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update vcenter_server to 7.0_u3d or 6.7_u3p or 6.5_u3r, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- CISA's required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- Read the advisory on vmware.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| VMware vCenter Server and VMware Cloud Foundation | VMware vCenter Server and VMware Cloud Foundation | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| VMware | cloud_foundation | 4.0 up to, but not including, 5.0; 3.0 up to, but not including, 3.11 | 5.0, 3.11 |
| VMware | vcenter_server | 7.0 up to, but not including, 7.0_u3d; 6.7 up to, but not including, 6.7_u3p; 6.5 up to, but not including, 6.5_u3r | 7.0_u3d, 6.7_u3p, 6.5_u3r |
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
- 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
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 6.5 | Medium | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 6.5 | Medium | CISA (ADP) |
| CVSS 2.0 | 4.0 | Medium | NVD |
Official description
The vCenter Server contains an information disclosure vulnerability due to improper permission of files. A malicious actor with non-administrative access to the vCenter Server may exploit this issue to gain access to sensitive information.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Incorrect Default Permissions
During installation, installed file permissions are set to allow anyone to modify those files.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- The architecture needs to access and modification attributes for files to only those users who actually require those actions.
- Compartmentalize the system to have safe areas where trust boundaries can be unambiguously drawn. Do not allow sensitive data to go outside of the trust boundary and always be careful when interfacing with a compartment outside of the safe area. Ensure that appropriate compartmentalization is built into the system design, and the compartmentalization allows for and reinforces privilege separation functionality. Architects and designers should rely on the principle of least privilege to decide the appropriate time to use privileges and the time to drop privileges.
More Incorrect Default Permissions vulnerabilities (CWE-276)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
- 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-2022-22948US Government Resource
Other vulnerabilities in VMware vCenter Server and VMware Cloud Foundation
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Incorrect Default Permissions vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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