VMware ESXi/ESX 4.1 vSphere API input validation

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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4.8$0-$5k0.00

A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in VMware ESXi and ESX 4.1 (Virtualization Software). Affected by this vulnerability is some unknown functionality of the component vSphere API. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a input validation vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-20. The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:

The vSphere API in VMware ESXi 4.1 and ESX 4.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (host daemon crash) via an invalid value in a (1) RetrieveProp or (2) RetrievePropEx SOAP request.

The bug was discovered 07/16/2012. The weakness was disclosed 11/15/2012 by Sebastián Tello with Core Security Technologies as VMSA-2012-0016 as confirmed advisory (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at vmware.com. The public release has been coordinated in cooperation with VMware. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2012-5703 since 10/31/2012. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details are unknown but a public exploit is available.

A public exploit has been developed by Sebastián Tello and been published immediately after the advisory. It is possible to download the exploit at coresecurity.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 122 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $5k-$25k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 103609 , which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is . The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 216046 (VMWare ESXi 4.1.0 Patch Release ESXi410-201211001 Missing (KB2036257)).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. The upgrade is hosted for download at my.vmware.com. Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be patching the affected component. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability. Furthermore it is possible to detect and prevent this kind of attack with TippingPoint and the filter 12882.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (80093) and Tenable (103609). The entry 4603 is pretty similar.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

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CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.8

VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 4.8
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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Exploitinginfo

Class: Input validation
CWE: CWE-20
ATT&CK: Unknown

Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept
Author: Sebastián Tello
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 103609
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Port: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 103609
OpenVAS Name: VMSA-2012-0016: VMware security updates for vSphere API and ESX Service Console
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
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Exploit Delay Time: 🔍

Upgrade: my.vmware.com
TippingPoint: 🔍
PaloAlto IPS: 🔍
Fortigate IPS: 🔍

Timelineinfo

07/16/2012 🔍
07/16/2012 +0 days 🔍
07/18/2012 +2 days 🔍
10/31/2012 +105 days 🔍
11/15/2012 +15 days 🔍
11/15/2012 +0 days 🔍
11/15/2012 +0 days 🔍
11/15/2012 +0 days 🔍
11/15/2012 +0 days 🔍
11/16/2012 +1 days 🔍
11/16/2012 +0 days 🔍
11/16/2012 +0 days 🔍
11/16/2012 +0 days 🔍
11/20/2012 +4 days 🔍
11/21/2012 +1 days 🔍
11/26/2012 +5 days 🔍
04/21/2017 +1607 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: vmware.com

Advisory: VMSA-2012-0016
Researcher: Sebastián Tello
Organization: Core Security Technologies
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍
Coordinated: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2012-5703 (🔍)
OVAL: 🔍
IAVM: 🔍

X-Force: 80093
SecurityTracker: 1027782 - VMware ESX/ESXi vSphere API Bug Lets Remote Users Deny Service
Vulnerability Center: 37405 - VMware ESXi and ESX Remote Denial of Service via an Invalid Value, Medium
SecurityFocus: 56571 - VMware ESXi and ESX vSphere API Remote Denial of Service Vulnerability
Secunia: 51263 - VMware ESXi vSphere API Denial of Service Vulnerability, Less Critical
OSVDB: 87539

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20060413
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 11/21/2012 16:05
Updated: 04/21/2017 22:13
Changes: 11/21/2012 16:05 (101), 04/21/2017 22:13 (7)
Complete: 🔍
Committer:

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