CVE-2015-2342 in vCenter Server
Summary
by MITRE
The JMX RMI service in VMware vCenter Server 5.0 before u3e, 5.1 before u3b, 5.5 before u3, and 6.0 before u1 does not restrict registration of MBeans, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via the RMI protocol.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-2342 represents a critical security flaw in VMware vCenter Server's Java Management Extensions Remote Method Invocation implementation. This weakness stems from insufficient access controls within the JMX RMI service that governs management bean registration processes. The flaw affects multiple versions of VMware's virtualization management platform, specifically targeting vCenter Server versions 5.0 through 5.5 and 6.0 before their respective security patches. The vulnerability resides in the service's failure to properly validate and restrict MBean registration operations, creating an attack surface that remote adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized system access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the RMI protocol where attackers can register malicious MBeans that execute arbitrary code on the target system. This represents a classic privilege escalation scenario where the RMI service's default configuration allows unrestricted MBean registration without proper authentication or authorization checks. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor mechanism within the management interface that bypasses normal security controls. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-284 which addresses improper access control in software systems, specifically focusing on inadequate restrictions on resource access. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege where the JMX service operates with overly permissive access controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2342 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within virtualized environments. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the vCenter Server process, typically running with elevated system permissions. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on vCenter for virtual infrastructure management, as the compromised system could serve as a foothold for further attacks targeting virtual machines and underlying physical resources. The vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter, and T1068 which addresses exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations using affected vCenter versions face potential data breaches, system compromise, and disruption of virtualized computing environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of security patches provided by VMware as the primary solution. Organizations should ensure all affected vCenter Server installations receive the appropriate updates, particularly those addressing the JMX RMI service access controls. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the RMI ports and JMX endpoints, limiting exposure to trusted networks only. The principle of defense in depth suggests implementing additional monitoring controls to detect unauthorized MBean registration attempts and anomalous RMI activity. System administrators should also consider disabling JMX RMI services when not actively required for management operations, and implementing strict access control lists that limit which systems can communicate with the vCenter Server's management interfaces. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include verification of JMX service configurations to ensure proper access controls remain in place.