CVE-2014-3796 in NSX
Summary
by MITRE
VMware NSX 6.0 before 6.0.6, and vCloud Networking and Security (vCNS) 5.1 before 5.1.4.2 and 5.5 before 5.5.3, does not properly validate input, which allows attackers to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3796 represents a critical input validation flaw within VMware's network virtualization solutions, specifically affecting NSX 6.0 versions prior to 6.0.6 and vCloud Networking and Security (vCNS) versions 5.1 before 5.1.4.2 and 5.5 before 5.5.3. This issue falls under the category of insufficient input validation as classified by CWE-20, which is a fundamental weakness in software design that allows malicious actors to exploit improperly validated data inputs. The vulnerability exists in the core network virtualization components that manage network security policies and configurations, creating a significant attack surface that could compromise the integrity of virtualized network environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization and validation of user-supplied inputs within the VMware NSX and vCNS platforms. Attackers can leverage this weakness through unspecified vectors that likely involve crafted malformed inputs or specially constructed API requests that bypass normal validation checks. The system's failure to properly validate input parameters creates opportunities for information disclosure attacks where adversaries can extract sensitive configuration data, network policies, or other confidential information from the affected systems. This flaw operates at the application layer and could potentially be exploited through network-based attacks without requiring authentication or elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3796 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the compromised sensitive data could provide attackers with critical insights into network topology, security configurations, and virtual machine placements. This information could enable more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation, lateral movement within the virtualized environment, or targeted attacks against specific network segments. The vulnerability affects organizations using VMware's virtual networking solutions, which are commonly deployed in enterprise data centers, cloud environments, and hybrid infrastructures, making the potential impact widespread across various security domains. Organizations utilizing these vulnerable versions may face compliance violations and security breaches that could result in significant financial and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate patching of affected VMware NSX and vCNS installations to versions 6.0.6, 5.1.4.2, and 5.5.3 respectively, which contain the necessary input validation fixes. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect anomalous input patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers may use DNS queries or other application protocols to probe for vulnerable systems. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation, access controls, and regular vulnerability assessments to reduce the risk of exploitation. Additionally, following the principle of least privilege and maintaining up-to-date security configurations can help minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities in the event of successful exploitation attempts.