CVE-2021-22048 : Security Advisory and Response

A privilege escalation vulnerability in VMware vCenter Server and VMware Cloud Foundation has been identified, allowing a malicious actor with non-administrative access to elevate privileges.

Understanding CVE-2021-22048

This vulnerability pertains to a privilege escalation flaw in the IWA authentication mechanism of vCenter Server.

What is CVE-2021-22048?

The vulnerability in VMware vCenter Server and VMware Cloud Foundation could enable an attacker with limited access to raise their privileges within the system.

The Impact of CVE-2021-22048

If exploited, a threat actor could escalate their privileges from non-administrative to a higher privileged group, potentially leading to unauthorized actions within the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-22048

This section will delve into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the IWA authentication mechanism of vCenter Server, allowing unauthorized individuals to escalate their privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

VMware vCenter Server versions 7.0 and 6.7, as well as VMware Cloud Foundation versions 4.x and 3.x, are affected by this privilege escalation vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

A threat actor with non-administrative access to vCenter Server could exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges within the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard against this vulnerability, certain measures can be taken.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is crucial to apply security patches provided by VMware promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict access controls and regular security audits to prevent unauthorized access and privilege escalation.

Patching and Updates

Regularly update VMware vCenter Server and VMware Cloud Foundation to the latest versions to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.