VMware Workspace ONE Access: Improper Authentication
CVE-2022-22956 is a critical-severity improper authentication vulnerability in VMware Workspace ONE Access, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected VMware Workspace ONE Access versions: Access 21.08.0.1, 21.08.0.0, 20.10.0.1, 20.10.0.0.. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 49.5% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 1.09% of all scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update Vrealize Automation to 9.0 or a later version.
- 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 Workspace ONE Access | VMware Workspace ONE Access | Access 21.08.0.1, 21.08.0.0, 20.10.0.1, 20.10.0.0. | Not stated |
| VMware | Identity Manager | 3.3.3; 3.3.4; 3.3.5; 3.3.6 | Not stated |
| VMware | Vrealize Automation | 8.0 up to, but not including, 9.0; 7.6 | 9.0 |
| VMware | Workspace One Access | 20.10.0.0; 20.10.0.1; 21.08.0.0; 21.08.0.1 | 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
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
| CVSS 2.0 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
VMware Workspace ONE Access has two authentication bypass vulnerabilities (CVE-2022-22955 & CVE-2022-22956) in the OAuth2 ACS framework. A malicious actor may bypass the authentication mechanism and execute any operation due to exposed endpoints in the authentication framework.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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