CVE-2018-6980 in vRealize Log Insight
Summary
by MITRE
VMware vRealize Log Insight (4.7.x before 4.7.1 and 4.6.x before 4.6.2) contains a vulnerability due to improper authorization in the user registration method. Successful exploitation of this issue may allow Admin users with view only permission to perform certain administrative functions which they are not allowed to perform.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6980 affects VMware vRealize Log Insight versions 4.7.x before 4.7.1 and 4.6.x before 4.6.2, representing a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security model of the platform. This issue stems from insufficient access controls within the user registration mechanism, creating a privilege escalation vector that allows unauthorized administrative actions to be executed by users who should only possess view-only permissions. The vulnerability specifically targets the application's authorization framework, where proper validation of user privileges during registration and subsequent administrative operations fails to enforce the principle of least privilege effectively.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in the improper validation of user permissions during the registration process, where the system does not adequately verify whether a user attempting to perform administrative functions actually possesses the necessary authorization levels. This weakness enables malicious actors or compromised accounts with limited privileges to exploit the registration method and execute administrative operations that should be restricted to users with full administrative rights. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically affecting the authentication and authorization components that govern user access control within the vRealize Log Insight environment. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in the authorization mechanism, specifically categorized under CWE-285 which addresses improper authorization scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it allows attackers to potentially compromise the integrity and confidentiality of log data within the vRealize Log Insight platform. An attacker with view-only permissions could theoretically perform administrative functions such as modifying user accounts, altering log processing rules, or accessing sensitive configuration data that should remain restricted. This unauthorized access could lead to data manipulation, information disclosure, or the complete compromise of the logging infrastructure, particularly concerning the centralized log management capabilities that vRealize Log Insight provides. The vulnerability affects the platform's core security model, potentially undermining the trust model that organizations rely upon for log management and security monitoring operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6980 should prioritize immediate patching of affected VMware vRealize Log Insight instances to versions 4.7.1 and 4.6.2 respectively, which contain the necessary authorization fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the vRealize Log Insight interface to privileged networks only. The principle of least privilege should be enforced through regular access reviews and privilege audits to ensure that users maintain only the permissions necessary for their roles. Additionally, monitoring for unauthorized administrative activities and implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to detect anomalous user behavior patterns can help identify potential exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and credential access methods, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures including regular security assessments and privileged access management controls to prevent unauthorized administrative access.