CVE-2011-0426 in VirtualCenter
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in vCenter Server in VMware vCenter 4.0 before Update 3 and 4.1 before Update 1, and VMware VirtualCenter 2.5 before Update 6a, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via unspecified vectors.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0426 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting VMware vCenter Server implementations across multiple versions including vCenter 4.0 before Update 3, 4.1 before Update 1, and VirtualCenter 2.5 before Update 6a. This security weakness falls under the CWE-22 category of Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected systems through unspecified attack vectors that manipulate file path references within the vCenter Server application.
The technical exploitation of this directory traversal vulnerability occurs when the vCenter Server fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input that is used in file operations. Attackers can construct malicious requests containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that bypass normal access controls and allow unauthorized reading of files outside the intended directory structure. This flaw particularly affects the file system access mechanisms within the vCenter Server management interface where user input is directly incorporated into file path operations without adequate sanitization.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0426 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can potentially expose sensitive configuration files, authentication credentials, and system information that could facilitate further attacks. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could retrieve critical system files including but not limited to database connection details, encryption keys, administrative credentials, and other confidential data stored within the vCenter Server environment. This represents a significant risk to enterprise infrastructure security since vCenter Server serves as the central management point for VMware virtual environments, making it an attractive target for adversaries seeking to gain deeper access to virtualized infrastructures.
The vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to credential access and privilege escalation. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could employ techniques such as credential dumping, privilege escalation, and lateral movement within the virtualized environment once they gain access to sensitive files. The attack surface is further expanded when considering that vCenter Server typically manages multiple virtual machines and hosts, meaning successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to the entire virtual infrastructure. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant VMware patches, implementing network segmentation, and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.
VMware addressed this vulnerability through specific updates and patches released as part of their security advisory process for the affected versions. The remediation involves applying the appropriate update releases including VMware vCenter 4.0 Update 3, 4.1 Update 1, and VirtualCenter 2.5 Update 6a, which contain fixes that properly validate and sanitize file path inputs to prevent directory traversal attacks. Security administrators should also consider implementing additional controls such as restricting network access to vCenter Server, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments of their virtual infrastructure to ensure comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities.