CVE-2010-4573 in ESXi
Summary
by MITRE
The Update Installer in VMware ESXi 4.1, when a modified sfcb.cfg is present, does not properly configure the SFCB authentication mode, which allows remote attackers to obtain access via an arbitrary username and password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4573 represents a critical authentication flaw within VMware ESXi 4.1's Update Installer component. This issue specifically manifests when a modified sfcb.cfg configuration file exists on the system, creating a scenario where the SFCB authentication mode fails to be properly configured during the update process. The flaw stems from inadequate validation and configuration handling during the installation of updates, particularly affecting the Service Configuration Broker authentication mechanisms that govern access to VMware's management interfaces.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a privilege escalation attack vector where remote adversaries can bypass normal authentication procedures by simply providing any username and password combination. This represents a fundamental failure in the authentication subsystem where the system does not properly enforce credential validation or authentication mode configuration. The flaw is categorized under CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting through exploitation of authentication weaknesses. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to VMware ESXi management interfaces without proper authorization, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with the ability to manipulate core system configurations, access sensitive data, and potentially escalate privileges to root level access within the virtualized environment. Organizations running VMware ESXi 4.1 systems are particularly vulnerable since this flaw affects the update installation process itself, meaning that even legitimate update procedures could be exploited by attackers. The implications include potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized modification of virtual machine configurations, making this a critical security concern for enterprise environments that rely on VMware virtualization platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4573 should prioritize immediate patching of affected VMware ESXi 4.1 installations with the latest security updates from VMware. System administrators should also implement network segmentation to limit access to ESXi management interfaces, enforce strict firewall rules, and monitor for unauthorized access attempts. Additional protective measures include regular configuration audits of sfcb.cfg files, implementation of intrusion detection systems, and mandatory access controls that limit who can initiate update installations. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication where possible and establish robust change management procedures for system configuration modifications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper authentication mode enforcement during system updates and underscores the necessity of comprehensive security testing for update mechanisms to prevent similar issues in future deployments.