VMware Aria Operations: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command
CVE-2024-38831 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in a command vulnerability in VMware Aria Operations from VMware, 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. The record lists version 8.18.2 as the first without the flaw, so updating VMware Aria Operations to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.29% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update VMware Aria Operations to 8.18.2 or a later version.
- Update aria_operations to 8.18.2 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on support.broadcom.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| VMware | VMware Aria Operations | 8.x up to, but not including, 8.18.2 | 8.18.2 |
| VMware | aria_operations | 8.0 up to, but not including, 8.18.2 | 8.18.2 |
| VMware | Cloud Foundation | 4.0 through 5.2 | 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
- 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 | CNA (vmware.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
VMware Aria Operations contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability. A malicious actor with local administrative privileges can insert malicious commands into the properties file to escalate privileges to a root user on the appliance running VMware Aria Operations.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command
The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
- If possible, ensure that all external commands called from the program are statically created.
- Run time: Run time policy enforcement may be used in an allowlist fashion to prevent use of any non-sanctioned commands.
More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities (CWE-77)
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
- 8.0 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 9.0 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
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