CVE-2019-5523 : Security Advisory and Response

VMware vCloud Director for Service Providers version 9.5.x before 9.5.0.3 is susceptible to a Remote Session Hijacking vulnerability that could allow unauthorized access to Tenant and Provider Portals.

Understanding CVE-2019-5523

This CVE involves a security vulnerability in VMware vCloud Director for Service Providers that could lead to Remote Session Hijacking.

What is CVE-2019-5523?

The 9.5.x version of VMware vCloud Director for Service Providers, up to the 9.5.0.3 update, contains a flaw that could be exploited for Remote Session Hijacking in both the Tenant and Provider Portals. This vulnerability could enable an unauthorized user to gain access to the portals by impersonating an active session.

The Impact of CVE-2019-5523

If successfully exploited, this vulnerability could allow malicious actors to access Tenant or Provider Portals by pretending to be legitimate users, potentially leading to unauthorized data access or manipulation.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-5523

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in VMware vCloud Director for Service Providers version 9.5.x before 9.5.0.3 allows for Remote Session Hijacking in both Tenant and Provider Portals.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: VMware vCloud Director for Service Providers (vCD)
Vendor: VMware
Vulnerable Version: 9.5.x before 9.5.0.3

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to hijack active sessions in the Tenant and Provider Portals, gaining unauthorized access.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-5523 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the necessary security updates provided by VMware promptly.
Monitor and restrict access to the affected portals to authorized users only.
Implement strong authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits and assessments to identify and mitigate potential risks.
Educate users and administrators about security best practices to prevent exploitation.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that VMware vCloud Director for Service Providers is updated to version 9.5.0.3 or later to mitigate the Remote Session Hijacking vulnerability.