CVE-2021-22043 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2021-22043, a TOCTOU vulnerability in VMware ESXi and Cloud Foundation allowing malicious actors to escalate privileges by manipulating temporary files. Find out the impact, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
A TOCTOU vulnerability exists in VMware ESXi and VMware Cloud Foundation, potentially allowing a malicious actor to escalate privileges by manipulating temporary files.
Understanding CVE-2021-22043
This CVE involves a Time-of-check Time-of-use vulnerability in VMware ESXi, affecting certain versions of the software.
What is CVE-2021-22043?
CVE-2021-22043 is a security flaw in VMware ESXi and VMware Cloud Foundation that could be exploited by an attacker with access to settingsd to gain escalated privileges.
The Impact of CVE-2021-22043
The vulnerability could enable threat actors to write arbitrary files and potentially execute unauthorized actions on affected systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-22043
This section outlines the specific details related to the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The TOCTOU vulnerability in VMware ESXi involves a flaw in the way temporary files are managed, allowing threat actors to manipulate these files for privilege escalation.
Affected Systems and Versions
VMware ESXi versions 7.0 U3 before ESXi70U3c-19193900, 7.0 U2 before ESXi70U2e-19290878, and 7.0 U1 before ESXi70U1e-19324898, as well as VMware Cloud Foundation 4.x before 4.4 are impacted by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
Malicious actors with access to settingsd can exploit this vulnerability to write arbitrary files, which may lead to unauthorized privilege escalation.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2021-22043 requires immediate action and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
Organizations should apply security patches provided by VMware to address this vulnerability and prevent exploitation.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implementing robust security measures, monitoring file activities, and restricting access to sensitive settings can help mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.
Patching and Updates
Regularly updating VMware ESXi and VMware Cloud Foundation to the latest versions and following vendor recommendations for secure configurations are essential to safeguard systems against potential threats.