CVE-2018-6961 in NSX SD-WAN Edge
Summary
by MITRE
VMware NSX SD-WAN Edge by VeloCloud prior to version 3.1.0 contains a command injection vulnerability in the local web UI component. This component is disabled by default and should not be enabled on untrusted networks. VeloCloud by VMware will be removing this service from the product in future releases. Successful exploitation of this issue could result in remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6961 affects VMware NSX SD-WAN Edge by VeloCloud versions prior to 3.1.0, presenting a critical command injection flaw within the local web UI component. This vulnerability represents a significant security risk as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The flaw exists in the web interface component that handles user input, specifically when processing commands that should be restricted to authorized administrators only. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it could enable remote code execution, allowing attackers to gain full control over the affected device without requiring physical access or legitimate credentials. The local web UI component serves as a management interface that should only be accessible within trusted network environments, yet the command injection flaw undermines this security boundary.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the web UI component. When users interact with the local web interface, the system fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into system commands. This allows malicious actors to inject operating system commands that are then executed with the privileges of the web server process. The vulnerability is classified as a command injection flaw under CWE-77, which specifically addresses situations where untrusted data is incorporated into command execution contexts without proper sanitization. The attack vector leverages the web-based management interface, making it accessible over the network when the service is enabled, even though it is disabled by default. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection, demonstrating how attackers can exploit poorly secured web interfaces to execute arbitrary code on target systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can execute commands with the highest privileges available to the web interface, potentially gaining access to sensitive network configuration data, modifying system settings, or establishing persistent backdoors. The affected device serves as a critical network infrastructure component in SD-WAN deployments, making successful exploitation particularly dangerous for organizations relying on VMware NSX SD-WAN Edge for their network connectivity. The vulnerability's presence in a management interface component means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to network traffic patterns, routing information, and other sensitive operational data. Organizations may face significant disruption to their network services and potential data breaches if this vulnerability is exploited in production environments.
Organizations should immediately implement several mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to VMware NSX SD-WAN Edge version 3.1.0 or later, where the vulnerable local web UI component has been removed from the product. Since the component is disabled by default, administrators should verify that it is not enabled in their deployments, particularly in environments with untrusted network access. Network segmentation strategies should be implemented to isolate the affected devices from untrusted networks, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access the management interface. Additionally, organizations should review their access controls and implement strict firewall rules to restrict access to the web management interface to trusted IP addresses only. The vulnerability's remediation aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001, emphasizing the importance of secure configuration management and vulnerability remediation processes. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized access attempts to the web management interface, providing early warning of potential exploitation attempts.