VMware Aria Operations (formerly vRealize…: Deserialization of Untrusted Data
CVE-2023-20878 is a high-severity deserialization of untrusted data vulnerability in VMware Aria Operations (formerly vRealize Operations), with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with administrator privileges, without any action from a user. Affected VMware Aria Operations (formerly vRealize Operations) versions: VMware Aria Operations prior to 8.12. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 63% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of VMware Aria Operations (formerly vRealize Operations) you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on vmware.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| VMware Aria Operations (formerly vRealize Operations) | VMware Aria Operations (formerly vRealize Operations) | VMware Aria Operations prior to 8.12 | Not stated |
| VMware | Cloud Foundation | 4.0 through 4.5 | Not stated |
| VMware | Vrealize Operations | 8.6.0; 8.10.0 | 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
- HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
- 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:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.2 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.2 | High | CISA (ADP) |
Official description
VMware Aria Operations contains a deserialization vulnerability. A malicious actor with administrative privileges can execute arbitrary commands and disrupt the system.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Deserialization of Untrusted Data
The product deserializes untrusted data without sufficiently ensuring that the resulting data will be valid.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- If available, use the signing/sealing features of the programming language to assure that deserialized data has not been tainted. For example, a hash-based message authentication code (HMAC) could be used to ensure that data has not been modified.
- When deserializing data, populate a new object rather than just deserializing. The result is that the data flows through safe input validation and that the functions are safe.
- Explicitly define a final object() to prevent deserialization.
More Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerabilities (CWE-502)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in VMware Aria Operations (formerly vRealize Operations)
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
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