CVE-2012-1512 in vSphere Client
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the internal browser in vSphere Client in VMware vSphere 4.1 before Update 2 and 5.0 before Update 1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted log-file entry.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1512 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the vSphere Client's internal browser component, affecting VMware vSphere versions 4.1 prior to Update 2 and 5.0 prior to Update 1. This security weakness resides in the client-side processing of log-file entries, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of a victim's browser session. The vulnerability specifically targets the internal browser functionality that displays log information, which is a common pattern in enterprise management interfaces where system logs are rendered for administrative review. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate log file content in such a way that when the vSphere Client displays these entries, the malicious code executes in the browser environment, potentially compromising user sessions and system integrity.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a reflected XSS attack vector where user-supplied data from log entries is not properly sanitized before being rendered in the browser. The technical implementation involves the vSphere Client's internal browser engine failing to adequately escape or filter special characters and script tags present in log-file entries. When administrators view logs containing malicious payloads, the browser interprets these crafted inputs as executable code rather than plain text, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple sessions. The attack requires minimal privileges as the malicious input is injected through legitimate log file entries, making it particularly dangerous in environments where log files are automatically generated and displayed without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-1512 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal administrative credentials, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute arbitrary commands within the browser context. Given that vSphere Client is typically used by system administrators with elevated privileges, successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to critical virtual infrastructure management functions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where vSphere is widely deployed, as it could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to virtual machines, modify configurations, or extract sensitive system information. The attack surface is broad since log files are regularly generated and viewed by administrators, making the exploitation opportunity frequent and potentially persistent.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying VMware's official security patches for vSphere 4.1 Update 2 and 5.0 Update 1, which address the XSS vulnerability through proper input sanitization and output encoding of log file entries. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious log file modifications, while administrative users should be trained to recognize potential XSS attack indicators in log displays. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection and T1566 for credential access, highlighting the multi-faceted threat landscape this flaw creates. Regular security assessments of client-side components and log processing systems should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, as the underlying issue stems from inadequate data validation and sanitization practices in web-based administrative interfaces. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and browser-based security controls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against such scripting attacks.