CVE-2016-5333 in Photon OS
Summary
by MITRE
VMware Photos OS OVA 1.0 before 2016-08-14 has a default SSH public key in an authorized_keys file, which allows remote attackers to obtain SSH access by leveraging knowledge of the private key.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5333 affects VMware Photos OS OVA 1.0 versions prior to the August 14, 2016 release, presenting a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the system's authentication mechanism. This issue stems from the inclusion of a hardcoded default SSH public key within the authorized_keys file of the virtual appliance, creating a persistent backdoor that can be exploited by any attacker who gains knowledge of the corresponding private key. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-798, which classifies the use of hard-coded credentials as a significant security risk, and represents a prime example of insecure configuration practices that can lead to unauthorized system access.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the deployment of a predictable SSH key pair within the virtual machine image itself, where the public key is embedded in the authorized_keys file for the root user account. This configuration allows any individual who possesses the corresponding private key to establish an SSH session without requiring additional authentication factors or credentials. The vulnerability operates at the authentication layer of the system, bypassing normal user credential validation mechanisms and providing immediate administrative access to the compromised appliance. Attackers can exploit this weakness by simply obtaining the private key component, which may be publicly available or discovered through various reconnaissance techniques, thereby eliminating the need for brute force attacks or credential guessing.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk profile for organizations deploying VMware Photos OS OVA appliances, as it provides an unauthenticated path to system compromise. The attack surface extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within network environments where the appliance resides. The vulnerability's persistence across system reboots and deployments means that once discovered, the flaw remains exploitable until the appliance is properly updated or the default key is removed. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which describes legitimate credentials being used in the context of legitimate system processes, and represents a significant threat to the confidentiality and integrity of the affected systems.
Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures by updating their VMware Photos OS OVA appliances to versions released after August 14, 2016, which address this hardcoded key issue. Additional mitigations include conducting comprehensive inventory audits to identify all affected systems, removing default SSH keys from authorized_keys files, implementing strict access controls for SSH services, and deploying network segmentation strategies to limit potential lateral movement. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper key management practices and adherence to security best practices such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-53, which emphasizes the need for secure configuration management and credential protection. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized SSH access attempts and establish automated patch management processes to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.