CVE-2021-22054 is a high-severity server-side request forgery (SSRF) vulnerability found in VMware Workspace ONE UEM console. This vulnerability allows malicious actors with network access to the UEM console to send requests without requiring authentication, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.5, categorized as high severity, indicating significant risk to organizations.
The issue affects specific versions of the Workspace ONE UEM console: 20.0.8 prior to 20.0.8.37, 20.11.0 prior to 20.11.0.40, 21.2.0 prior to 21.2.0.27, and 21.5.0 prior to 21.5.0.37. Organizations using these versions should be particularly vigilant, as the vulnerability presents a clear pathway for exploitation.
Risk to organizations includes exposure of sensitive data, which is critical for maintaining user trust and compliance with data protection regulations. Given the potential ramifications, organizations must prioritize remediation efforts.
As of now, there is known exploit code available, which heightens the urgency for organizations to address this vulnerability. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Vulnerability Details
This vulnerability allows for SSRF, which can be exploited by sending crafted requests to internal resources from the vulnerable server. The CVSS v3.1 vector indicates that the attack vector is network-based, with low attack complexity and no required privileges or user interaction.
The vulnerability affects VMware Workspace ONE UEM console versions specified earlier and is classified under CWE-918, which pertains to server-side request forgery vulnerabilities.
The vulnerability was disclosed on December 17, 2021, and organizations should ensure their versions are updated to the latest patches available.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper validation of user-supplied input, which allows attackers to send requests to unintended destinations from the server. With the attack vector being network-based, it requires no privileges or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous.
The attack complexity is low, meaning that even a novice attacker could exploit this vulnerability if they have network access to the UEM console. The confidentiality impact is rated high, indicating that sensitive information can be accessed without authorization. The integrity and availability impacts are rated as none.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment of this vulnerability could lead to significant data breaches, exposing sensitive information stored within the UEM system. Organizations utilizing this software must understand the implications of this vulnerability and act swiftly.
The blast radius potential is considerable, as the attacker could access critical internal resources, leading to further exploitation opportunities. The urgency for remediation is underscored by the high CVSS score and the presence of exploit code.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of VMware Workspace ONE UEM console include: 20.0.8 prior to 20.0.8.37, 20.11.0 prior to 20.11.0.40, 21.2.0 prior to 21.2.0.27, and 21.5.0 prior to 21.5.0.37. Organizations must ensure they upgrade to the latest versions to mitigate this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, organizations should apply patches as provided by VMware. The recommended versions to upgrade to are the latest releases available from the vendor. Organizations that are unable to apply the patches should implement appropriate workarounds as outlined in the vendor's security advisory.
For further security hardening, organizations can also enhance their network controls and monitor for any unusual activity that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular reviews of security configurations are also advisable.
Organizations should validate remediation through penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor their logs for indicators of exploit attempts related to CVE-2021-22054. Key indicators include unusual outbound requests that originate from the UEM console, as well as any changes in access patterns to sensitive resources.
Behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected access to internal services or resources, should also be flagged for investigation. Network signatures that identify malicious payloads typically associated with SSRF exploits should be deployed.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-22054 highlights the ongoing vulnerabilities associated with server-side request forgery. Security teams must stay aware of evolving threat landscapes and how such vulnerabilities can be leveraged in real-world attacks.
The trend of increasing SSRF exploitation underscores the need for robust application security measures. Organizations should continuously educate their teams on potential exploitation techniques and maintain rigorous security testing protocols.
Strategically, organizations should consider implementing a comprehensive penetration testing methodology that focuses on identifying and remediating vulnerabilities like SSRF before they can be exploited.
Additionally, organizations may benefit from exploring vulnerability management programs to ensure ongoing security vigilance and compliance with industry standards.
Finally, organizations should not underestimate the importance of API security best practices to prevent SSRF vulnerabilities from being introduced during the development lifecycle.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)