VMware Multiple Products Privilege Escalation
CVE-2022-22960 is a high-severity incorrect permission assignment for critical resource vulnerability in VMware Workspace ONE Access, Identity Manager and vRealize Automation, 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. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on April 15, 2022, 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 a later version.
- Update Vrealize Suite Lifecycle Manager to 9.0 or a later version.
- CISA's required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- Read the advisory on vmware.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| VMware Workspace ONE Access, Identity Manager and vRealize Automation | VMware Workspace ONE Access, Identity Manager and vRealize Automation | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| VMware | Cloud Foundation | 3.0 up to, but not including, 5.0 | 5.0 |
| VMware | Identity Manager | 3.3.3; 3.3.4; 3.3.5; 3.3.6 | Not stated |
| VMware | Vrealize Automation | 7.6 | Not stated |
| VMware | Vrealize Suite Lifecycle Manager | 8.0 up to, but not including, 9.0 | 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
- 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
VMware Workspace ONE Access, Identity Manager and vRealize Automation contain a privilege escalation vulnerability due to improper permissions in support scripts. A malicious actor with local access can escalate privileges to 'root'.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource
The product specifies permissions for a security-critical resource in a way that allows that resource to be read or modified by unintended actors.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- When using a critical resource such as a configuration file, check to see if the resource has insecure permissions (such as being modifiable by any regular user), and generate an error or even exit the software if there is a possibility that the resource could have been modified by an unauthorized party.
- Divide the software into anonymous, normal, privileged, and administrative areas. Reduce the attack surface by carefully defining distinct user groups, privileges, and/or roles. Map these against data, functionality, and the related resources. Then set the permissions accordingly. This will allow you to maintain more fine-grained control over your resources.
- During program startup, explicitly set the default permissions or umask to the most restrictive setting possible. Also set the appropriate permissions during program installation. This will prevent you from inheriting insecure permissions from any user who installs or runs the program.
More Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource vulnerabilities (CWE-732)
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
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-22960US Government Resource
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/171918/Mware-Workspace-ONE-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/171918/VMware-Workspace-ONE-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/171935/VMware-Workspace-ONE-Access-Privilege-Escalation.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
Other vulnerabilities in VMware Workspace ONE Access, Identity Manager and vRealize Automation
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
Recent Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.6 High severity
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