Learn about CVE-2022-22960, a privilege escalation vulnerability in VMware Workspace ONE Access, Identity Manager, and vRealize Automation, allowing local attackers to gain 'root' privileges.
A privilege escalation vulnerability has been identified in VMware Workspace ONE Access, Identity Manager, and vRealize Automation, allowing a malicious actor with local access to escalate privileges to 'root'.
Understanding CVE-2022-22960
This section will cover the details of the CVE-2022-22960 vulnerability, its impact, technical description, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
What is CVE-2022-22960?
CVE-2022-22960 is a privilege escalation vulnerability found in VMware Workspace ONE Access, Identity Manager, and vRealize Automation due to improper permissions in support scripts.
The Impact of CVE-2022-22960
The vulnerability can be exploited by a threat actor with local access to the system to gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized actions and compromise of the affected systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2022-22960
Let's delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2022-22960 to understand the vulnerability better.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises from improper permissions in the support scripts of VMware Workspace ONE Access, Identity Manager, and vRealize Automation, allowing unauthorized privilege escalation to 'root' level.
Affected Systems and Versions
VMware Workspace ONE Access versions 21.08.0.1, 21.08.0.0, 20.10.0.1, 20.10.0.0, Identity Manager versions 3.3.6, 3.3.5, 3.3.4, 3.3.3, and vRealize Automation version 7.6 are impacted by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
A malicious actor with local access can exploit this vulnerability to elevate their privileges to 'root' on the affected systems, potentially leading to unauthorized control.
Mitigation and Prevention
Understanding how to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2022-22960 is crucial to maintaining the security of your systems.
Immediate Steps to Take
It is recommended to apply security patches released by VMware promptly to address the privilege escalation vulnerability in Workspace ONE Access, Identity Manager, and vRealize Automation. Additionally, restrict access to vulnerable systems to authorized personnel only.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implement a least privilege access policy, regularly monitor and audit system logs for suspicious activities, and educate users on secure computing practices to enhance overall security posture.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security updates and patches provided by VMware for Workspace ONE Access, Identity Manager, and vRealize Automation. Timely application of patches is essential in mitigating the risk of privilege escalation exploits.