CVE-2021-22029 is classified as a high-severity denial of service vulnerability affecting VMware Workspace ONE UEM REST API. This vulnerability allows a malicious actor with access to the /API/system/admins/session endpoint to cause a denial of service due to improper rate limiting. With a CVSS score of 7.5, it poses a significant risk to organizations relying on this API for managing applications and devices.
The vulnerability was published on August 31, 2021, and has been marked as modified, indicating that additional information may have been provided since its disclosure. Organizations should take this vulnerability seriously as it could lead to significant service interruptions, impacting availability.
Risk to organizations includes potential downtime and loss of access to critical services. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to disrupt operations by overwhelming the API with requests, ultimately leading to service unavailability. Given its high severity, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Currently, there is no public exploit confirmed for this vulnerability, which may reduce the immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for prompt remediation. Organizations are advised to monitor their systems closely and prepare to apply patches as they become available.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of this vulnerability states that the VMware Workspace ONE UEM REST API contains a denial of service vulnerability. A malicious actor with access to the /API/system/admins/session could cause an API denial of service due to improper rate limiting. This indicates a critical flaw in handling API requests, allowing for potential service disruption.
The CVSS score of 7.5, classified as high severity, reflects the potential impact on system availability. The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity and no privileges required for exploitation. This makes it easier for an attacker to exploit the vulnerability without significant effort or advanced skills.
The affected product is the VMware Workspace ONE UEM Console, specifically versions 20.1.0.0 through 20.1.0.32, 20.5.0.0 through 20.5.0.51, 20.8.0.0 through 20.8.0.32, 20.11.0.0 through 20.11.0.30, 21.2.0.0 through 21.2.0.14, and 21.5.0.0 through 21.5.0.2. Organizations using these versions should take immediate action to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2021-22029 lies in improper rate limiting within the REST API. This failure allows an attacker to send numerous requests to the API endpoint, overwhelming the service and resulting in a denial of service. The attack vector is network-based, meaning that no local access is required, which increases the risk profile.
The attack complexity is rated as low, indicating that an attacker could exploit this vulnerability with minimal effort. No privileges are required for exploitation, and user interaction is not necessary. This vulnerability impacts the availability of the service, which is critical for organizations that depend on the API for their operations.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment risk includes the potential for significant service outages, which can disrupt business operations and lead to financial losses. The blast radius of this vulnerability is extensive, as it affects all users relying on API access for management tasks.
Given the high CVSS score of 7.5 and the absence of known public exploits, organizations should assess their exposure and prioritize remediation efforts. The urgency for addressing this vulnerability is high, as failure to do so may result in service disruption and loss of productivity.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions of VMware Workspace ONE UEM Console are affected by CVE-2021-22029: - 20.1.0.0 - 20.1.0.32 - 20.5.0.0 - 20.5.0.51 - 20.8.0.0 - 20.8.0.32 - 20.11.0.0 - 20.11.0.30 - 21.2.0.0 - 21.2.0.14 - 21.5.0.0 - 21.5.0.2 Organizations using these versions should take immediate action to update and secure their systems.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching their VMware Workspace ONE UEM Console to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability. If an immediate patch is not available, consider implementing rate limiting on API requests to mitigate the risk of denial of service attacks. Additionally, organizations should review their network controls and configuration settings to ensure proper security measures are in place.
For more information on effective security practices, organizations can refer to resources on penetration testing and how to safeguard their APIs.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of CVE-2021-22029, organizations should monitor the following indicators: - Unusual spikes in API request traffic to /API/system/admins/session - Log entries indicating repeated access attempts to the admin session endpoint - Anomalous behavior patterns that deviate from normal operational metrics.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2021-22029 highlights the ongoing challenges organizations face regarding API security and the importance of implementing robust rate limiting mechanisms. This vulnerability represents a trend where attackers increasingly target APIs as critical points of failure. Security teams must remain vigilant in monitoring their environments and proactively addressing vulnerabilities to prevent service disruptions.
For additional insights on API security, organizations are encouraged to explore relevant resources like the API penetration testing guide and the importance of conducting thorough security assessments to identify and mitigate risks.
By adopting a proactive approach to security, organizations can better protect their APIs and mitigate the risks associated with vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-22029.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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