CVE-2021-21980 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in the VMware vSphere Web Client (FLEX/Flash). This vulnerability allows unauthorized arbitrary file reads, which can be exploited by malicious actors with network access to port 443 on vCenter Server. The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to sensitive information, making immediate remediation essential for organizations relying on this technology.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.5, indicating a high severity level. Organizations should prioritize patching to mitigate potential risks, as the attack vector is network-based and the attack complexity is low. With no privileges required and no user interaction needed, the risk to organizations includes significant confidentiality impacts.
As of now, this vulnerability is not listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) database, but it has been confirmed that there are public proof-of-concept (PoC) resources available on GitHub. Given the potential for exploitation, organizations must take this threat seriously and act accordingly to protect their systems.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-21980. The window for potential exploitation may be limited, and timely action is essential to safeguard sensitive data.
Vulnerability Details
The vSphere Web Client (FLEX/Flash) contains an unauthorized arbitrary file read vulnerability. A malicious actor with network access to port 443 on vCenter Server may exploit this issue to gain access to sensitive information.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.5 (high severity), with a low attack complexity and no privileges required for exploitation. The confidentiality impact is rated as high, while integrity and availability impacts are none.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper access controls that allow unauthorized file reads. The attack vector is network-based, meaning an attacker can exploit the vulnerability remotely. The attack complexity is low, requiring no special conditions to be met.
No privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, and user interaction is not necessary. The exploitation could lead to high confidentiality impact, as attackers may access sensitive files without detection.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk for organizations is significant due to the potential for data exposure and the ease of exploitation. Organizations that utilize VMware vCenter Server and Cloud Foundation need to consider the blast radius of this vulnerability, as it affects multiple versions and configurations.
With a CVSS score of 7.5, organizations should assess the urgency of patching this vulnerability based on their specific environment and exposure. The potential for unauthorized access to sensitive data necessitates a high urgency response.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
This vulnerability affects VMware products, specifically versions of vCenter Server and Cloud Foundation. All versions prior to vendor patch are vulnerable.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. VMware has released patches to address this vulnerability. To ensure systems are secure, organizations may also consider implementing additional network controls and monitoring to detect potential unauthorized access.
For comprehensive security assessments, organizations can utilize application security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any unauthorized access attempts, unusual file read activities, and other behavioral anomalies that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2021-21980 highlights the importance of maintaining robust security practices for cloud infrastructure. The presence of public PoC resources signifies the need for organizations to remain vigilant against emerging threats.
Security teams should continuously assess their environments for vulnerabilities, leveraging insights from this incident to improve their threat models and protective measures.
For further reading on threat modeling and vulnerability management, consider exploring our guides on vulnerability management programs, penetration testing methodology, and cloud penetration testing for proactive defense strategies.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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