CVE-2010-0686 in ESX Server
Summary
by MITRE
WebAccess in VMware VirtualCenter 2.0.2 and 2.5, VMware Server 2.0, and VMware ESX 3.0.3 and 3.5 allows remote attackers to leverage proxy-server functionality to spoof the origin of requests via unspecified vectors, related to a "URL forwarding vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0686 represents a significant security flaw in VMware's VirtualCenter and related virtualization platforms that affects versions 2.0.2 and 2.5 of VirtualCenter, VMware Server 2.0, and ESX versions 3.0.3 and 3.5. This issue resides within the WebAccess component which serves as the web-based management interface for these virtualization products, creating a critical pathway for remote attackers to manipulate network traffic flow and potentially bypass security controls.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of proxy-server functionality within the web access layer, specifically involving URL forwarding mechanisms that allow malicious actors to manipulate request origins. Attackers can exploit this weakness to spoof the source of network requests, effectively making it appear as though legitimate traffic is originating from trusted sources. This occurs through unspecified vectors that likely involve manipulation of HTTP headers or proxy configuration parameters that control how requests are forwarded through the system's web interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple traffic manipulation, as it enables sophisticated attack scenarios that can compromise the integrity of the virtualization environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially bypass authentication mechanisms, access restricted management interfaces, or redirect traffic to malicious endpoints while maintaining the appearance of legitimate system communications. This capability directly violates fundamental security principles of authentication and authorization, as the system cannot reliably determine the true origin of incoming requests.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-610 - "Remote Reference to a Resource in Another Sphere" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 - "Application Layer Protocol: DNS" and T1566 - "Phishing", as attackers can leverage this weakness to establish false trust relationships with legitimate systems. The vulnerability represents a critical failure in the principle of least privilege and trust boundaries within the virtualization infrastructure, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive management functions.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate management interfaces, deployment of web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious proxy header manipulations, and configuration hardening to disable unnecessary proxy functionality. Regular security assessments should verify that proxy configurations properly validate request origins and implement proper authentication controls. Additionally, upgrading to patched versions of VMware VirtualCenter, Server, and ESX platforms remains the most effective long-term solution to eliminate this vulnerability and prevent exploitation attempts that could compromise the entire virtualization infrastructure.