CVE-2018-6961 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability found in VMware NSX SD-WAN Edge, specifically in versions prior to 3.1.0. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the local web UI component, which is disabled by default and should not be enabled on untrusted networks. The potential consequences of successful exploitation include remote code execution, posing significant risks to organizations utilizing affected versions.
With a CVSS score of 8.1, this vulnerability falls into the high severity category, indicating a critical need for attention. Organizations running vulnerable versions should prioritize remediation given the potential for unauthorized access and control over affected systems. The urgency for defenders is exacerbated by the presence of known exploits in the wild.
The command injection vulnerability is classified under CWE-78, highlighting the risks associated with improper validation of input. As a result, organizations must take immediate action to mitigate this vulnerability and protect their infrastructure from possible exploitation.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to prevent potential exploitation. VMware has announced plans to remove this vulnerable service in future releases, emphasizing the importance of upgrading to patched versions.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows for command injection in the local web UI component of VMware NSX SD-WAN Edge prior to version 3.1.0, which is disabled by default. However, if enabled on untrusted networks, it could lead to remote code execution. The official CVE description elaborates on the risk posed by this vulnerability and the need for immediate remediation.
The CVSS score of 8.1 categorizes this vulnerability as high severity, indicating a significant risk to organizations. The attack vector is defined as network, and the attack complexity is high, requiring no privileges or user interaction. The impacts are severe across confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
This vulnerability affects VMware NSX SD-WAN Edge, specifically all versions prior to 3.1.0. The vulnerability was published on June 11, 2018, and is classified under CWE-78 for command injection.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2018-6961 lies in the local web UI component of VMware NSX SD-WAN Edge. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of user input, allowing attackers to inject malicious commands. The attack vector is network-based, meaning that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely.
The attack complexity is high, indicating that successful exploitation requires sophisticated techniques and knowledge of the system. Importantly, no privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, and user interaction is not necessary, making it more dangerous.
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to significant impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as attackers may gain unauthorized control over the affected system.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk of this vulnerability is substantial. Organizations deploying VMware NSX SD-WAN Edge prior to version 3.1.0 face the potential for remote code execution, which could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data and systems. Given the high CVSS score and the ease of exploitation, the blast radius could extend across entire networks if left unaddressed.
This vulnerability's urgency is further highlighted by its inclusion in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, indicating that it is actively being targeted by attackers. Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
This vulnerability impacts all versions of VMware NSX SD-WAN Edge prior to version 3.1.0. Organizations are advised to upgrade to this version or later to mitigate the vulnerabilities.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate the command injection vulnerability in VMware NSX SD-WAN Edge, organizations should apply updates as per vendor instructions. Specifically, upgrading to version 3.1.0 or later is crucial. Additionally, organizations should disable the local web UI component if it is not necessary for their operations.
For more robust security, consider implementing network controls and configuration hardening. Continuous monitoring for any unusual activity is also recommended to detect potential exploitation attempts.
Organizations should validate remediation through continuous penetration testing to ensure that similar vulnerabilities do not remain in the environment.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of exploitation attempts, including unusual access patterns or command execution attempts within the local web UI component. Behavioral anomalies should be investigated, and network signatures should be updated to identify and block malicious traffic targeting this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2018-6961 represents a significant threat, as its command injection vulnerability can lead to severe consequences if exploited. The high exploitability score indicates that attackers are actively targeting this weakness. Security teams should take this as a learning opportunity to improve their defenses against command injection vulnerabilities.
To further protect against similar vulnerabilities, organizations should enhance their security posture by following best practices in input validation and by conducting regular security assessments. For detailed guidance, organizations can refer to the penetration testing methodology and the vulnerability management program design to establish a proactive security strategy.
In conclusion, organizations using VMware NSX SD-WAN Edge should prioritize addressing CVE-2018-6961 to mitigate risks and safeguard their networks.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)