CVE-2021-21981 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A privilege escalation vulnerability in VMware NSX-T has been identified, allowing attackers with a local guest user account to assign privileges beyond their permission level.

Understanding CVE-2021-21981

This section will delve into the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2021-21981.

What is CVE-2021-21981?

CVE-2021-21981 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in VMware NSX-T, arising from flaws in RBAC role assignment. Exploiting this flaw could enable unauthorized users to elevate their permissions.

The Impact of CVE-2021-21981

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could empower malicious actors with a local guest user account to elevate their privileges above their designated level, posing a significant security risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-21981

This section will outline the vulnerability description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism of CVE-2021-21981.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from an issue in RBAC role assignment within VMware NSX-T, allowing unauthorized users to assign themselves higher privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

VMware NSX-T version 3.1.1 is confirmed to be impacted by this privilege escalation vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with local guest user accounts can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized privileges in VMware NSX-T.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-21981, immediate steps, long-term security practices, and the importance of timely patching are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should audit and review RBAC assignments, restrict guest user permissions, and monitor user activities closely to detect anomalies.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strict access controls, conducting regular security audits, and providing continuous security awareness training can enhance overall protection against privilege escalation vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure prompt installation of security patches and updates provided by VMware to address the identified vulnerability in NSX-T.