CVE-2016-2079 in NSX Edge
Summary
by MITRE
VMware NSX Edge 6.1 before 6.1.7 and 6.2 before 6.2.3 and vCNS Edge 5.5 before 5.5.4.3, when the SSL-VPN feature is configured, allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2079 affects VMware NSX Edge and vCNS Edge appliances, specifically targeting versions prior to their respective security patches. This issue manifests within the SSL-VPN feature configuration, creating a significant information disclosure risk that can be exploited by remote attackers without authentication. The vulnerability resides in the improper handling of sensitive data during SSL-VPN operations, potentially exposing confidential information to unauthorized parties.
The technical flaw involves unspecified vectors that enable attackers to extract sensitive information from affected systems. This represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability where the system fails to properly sanitize or protect sensitive data during SSL-VPN sessions. The vulnerability affects multiple product versions including NSX Edge 6.1 before 6.1.7, NSX Edge 6.2 before 6.2.3, and vCNS Edge 5.5 before 5.5.4.3, indicating a widespread issue across VMware's edge networking solutions. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests multiple potential pathways through which sensitive information could be accessed, potentially including memory corruption, improper error handling, or insecure data transmission mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can provide attackers with valuable data that may lead to further exploitation attempts. Attackers could potentially access session tokens, user credentials, system configurations, or other sensitive data that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability directly impacts the security posture of organizations relying on VMware's edge networking solutions, particularly those with sensitive data environments where SSL-VPN services are actively deployed. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly concerning for organizations with perimeter-based security controls.
Organizations should immediately implement the vendor-provided security patches for all affected versions of VMware NSX Edge and vCNS Edge appliances. The remediation process involves upgrading to the patched versions that address the information disclosure vulnerability in the SSL-VPN feature implementation. Security teams should also conduct thorough network assessments to identify any active SSL-VPN services that may be vulnerable and implement additional monitoring for suspicious activities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper exposure of sensitive information, and could potentially be leveraged as part of broader attack chains in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the information gathering and credential access phases. Network segmentation and access control measures should be reviewed to limit potential impact if exploitation occurs, and organizations should maintain continuous monitoring for any signs of unauthorized access attempts.