External risk intelligence

VMware vCenter Server Information Disclosure Vulnerability

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2022-22948

VMware vCenter Server is affected by an information disclosure vulnerability. A non-administrative user could gain access to sensitive information, impacting data confidentiality. This poses a business risk by potentially exposing confidential data.

2Halo Surface Signal

Information Disclosure

Vmware Cloud Foundation

3.0 to before 3.114.0 to before 4.4.16.56.77.0

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2022-22948

VMware vCenter Server is infrastructure management software typically deployed within internal, protected data center segments. While it is network-accessible, it is not intended to be exposed directly to the public internet in standard deployment patterns.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

VMware vCenter Server contains an information disclosure vulnerability. This flaw allows a malicious actor with non-administrative access to access sensitive information within the vCenter Server. The impact of this vulnerability can include unauthorized access to confidential data, potentially affecting business operations and data integrity.

  • Vulnerable: VMware vCenter Server
  • Flaw: Improper file permissions
  • Impact: Sensitive information disclosure

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

This vulnerability allows an attacker with existing non-administrative access to a vCenter Server to discover sensitive information. The attack begins when an attacker leverages their existing access to interact with the vCenter Server. This interaction can lead to the disclosure of sensitive data, potentially aiding further unauthorized access or understanding of the environment.

  • Non-administrative access is required.
  • Attacker accesses vCenter Server.
  • Sensitive information is disclosed.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability allows unauthorized access to sensitive information within vCenter Server due to improper file permissions. An actor with limited access could potentially exploit this to view confidential data. The potential impact involves data exposure, which could inform further attacks or lead to reputational damage.

  • Likely attacker skill level: Low
  • Required access or conditions: Non-administrative access
  • Business risk or urgency: Medium

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability allows a malicious actor with non-administrative access to sensitive information on vCenter Server. The organization should focus on understanding its exposure, limiting potential impact, implementing vendor-provided solutions, and confirming the effectiveness of these actions. Ongoing observation is also recommended to detect any related security events.

  • Identify all instances of vCenter Server.
  • Limit access to vCenter Server.
  • Apply vendor fixes and confirm.
  • Monitor for unusual activity.

Frequently asked questions

What type of vulnerability affects VMware vCenter Server and what is its primary impact?

VMware vCenter Server is affected by an information disclosure vulnerability due to improper file permissions. This flaw allows a malicious actor who already has non-administrative access to exploit the issue and gain access to sensitive information within the vCenter Server. This can lead to unauthorized access to confidential data, potentially impacting business operations and data integrity.

How is the VMware vCenter Server vulnerability characterized, and what is the weakness class?

The VMware vCenter Server vulnerability is characterized by improper default file permissions. The weakness class associated with this flaw is CWE-276, which pertains to the improper restriction of permissions on files, as identified in the vulnerability data.

What is the trigger path for exploiting this VMware vCenter Server vulnerability?

The trigger path for this vulnerability involves an attacker who already possesses non-administrative access to the vCenter Server. The attacker then interacts with the server, leveraging their existing access to exploit the improper file permissions and consequently disclose sensitive information. The scope of this vulnerability is limited to the vCenter Server itself, without affecting other systems.

How relevant is the VMware vCenter Server information disclosure vulnerability, and is it on the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog?

This VMware vCenter Server vulnerability is relevant because it allows a non-administrative user to access sensitive information. It is listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, indicating active exploitation in the wild. The KEV listing was added on July 17, 2024, highlighting its current threat status.

What practical steps should be taken to respond to the VMware vCenter Server vulnerability?

To respond to this vulnerability, organizations should identify all instances of vCenter Server, restrict access to these systems, and promptly apply vendor-provided fixes. It is also crucial to confirm the effectiveness of these applied solutions and to maintain ongoing monitoring for any unusual activity that might indicate a compromise.