CVE-2005-3619 in ESX Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the management interface for VMware ESX 2.5.x before 2.5.2 upgrade patch 2, 2.1.x before 2.1.2 upgrade patch 6, and 2.0.x before 2.0.1 upgrade patch 6 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via messages that are not sanitized when viewing syslog log files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3619 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within VMware ESX management interfaces across multiple versions including 2.5.x before 2.5.2 upgrade patch 2, 2.1.x before 2.1.2 upgrade patch 6, and 2.0.x before 2.0.1 upgrade patch 6. This weakness specifically affects the syslog log file viewing functionality within the ESX management console, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious code through web script injection. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization when displaying syslog messages, allowing attackers to embed malicious HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the management interface where syslog log files are displayed to administrators. When these log files contain unsanitized user input or system messages, attackers can inject malicious scripts that persist in the log display. This creates a persistent cross-site scripting vector where any user accessing the syslog viewing functionality becomes vulnerable to script execution. The flaw operates at the application layer and directly violates the principle of proper input validation and output encoding, which are fundamental security practices for preventing XSS attacks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses in web applications where user-controllable data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for VMware ESX environments, particularly in enterprise settings where system administrators regularly monitor syslog files for security events and system status. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to steal administrator session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or execute arbitrary commands on behalf of authenticated users. The persistent nature of the vulnerability means that malicious scripts embedded in syslog messages would continue to execute each time the log file is viewed, potentially compromising multiple administrators over time. This vulnerability undermines the integrity of the management interface and could enable attackers to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to the underlying virtualization infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the respective upgrade patches provided by VMware for each affected version series. The patches address the root cause by implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding for syslog message display. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened around ESX management interfaces to limit exposure. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious log message patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper input validation in management interfaces, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting through web-based attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide additional protection layers against such exploitation attempts.