Privilege escalation in VMware vCenter Server

1) Security restrictions bypass

EUVDB-ID: #VU58104

Risk: Medium

CVSSv4.0: 4.8 [CVSS:4.0/AV:A/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Green]

CVE-ID: CVE-2021-22048

CWE-ID: CWE-264 - Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to an error in the IWA (Integrated Windows Authentication) authentication mechanism. A remote authenticated user can escalate privileges on the system.

Mitigation

Cybersecurity Help is currently unaware of any official solution to address this vulnerability.

Vulnerable software versions

vCenter Server: 6.7 U3e - 7.0.0

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter-server:6.7:U3e:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter-server:6.7:U3c:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter-server:6.7:U3f:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2021-0025.html

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote authenticated user via the local network (LAN).

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.