CVE-2016-3643 in Virtualization Manager
Summary
by MITRE
SolarWinds Virtualization Manager 6.3.1 and earlier allow local users to gain privileges by leveraging a misconfiguration of sudo, as demonstrated by "sudo cat /etc/passwd."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3643 affects SolarWinds Virtualization Manager version 6.3.1 and earlier, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that enables local attackers to elevate their system privileges through improper sudo configuration. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper privilege management and misconfiguration issues that have significant implications for system security. The flaw specifically manifests when the sudo command is improperly configured to allow unrestricted access to sensitive system files, demonstrating the dangerous consequences of inadequate privilege control mechanisms within enterprise monitoring solutions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a misconfigured sudoers file that grants excessive permissions to local users without proper restrictions or validation checks. When an attacker executes the command "sudo cat /etc/passwd," they can bypass normal access controls and gain read access to critical system files that should typically be restricted to privileged users only. This misconfiguration allows for arbitrary file access and manipulation, as the sudo command is configured to permit execution of specific commands without requiring password authentication or proper user verification. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it demonstrates how monitoring and management tools can inadvertently provide attack vectors that compromise system integrity and confidentiality.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3643 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to potentially access sensitive system information, modify critical configuration files, and establish persistent access to the compromised system. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges, and represents a classic example of how weak access controls can lead to complete system compromise. The attack vector is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where SolarWinds Virtualization Manager is deployed, as these systems often contain sensitive data and are critical to business operations. The vulnerability can be exploited by any local user, making it particularly concerning in multi-user environments where proper access controls should prevent unauthorized system access.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement comprehensive remediation measures including updating to SolarWinds Virtualization Manager version 6.3.2 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address the sudo misconfiguration. System administrators must also conduct thorough reviews of all sudoers configurations across their infrastructure, ensuring that privilege escalation is properly restricted and that only authorized users can execute sensitive commands. The remediation process should include implementing principle of least privilege, where users are granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their required functions. Additionally, organizations should deploy monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized sudo usage and establish regular security audits to identify similar misconfigurations that could provide similar attack vectors. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper privilege management and access control configuration in enterprise security infrastructure, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through misconfiguration, and emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls that address both software vulnerabilities and configuration weaknesses.