CVE-2021-21990 in Workspace one UEM Console
Summary
by MITRE • 05/11/2021
VMware Workspace one UEM console (2102 prior to 21.2.0.8, 2101 prior to 21.1.0.14, 2011 prior to 20.11.0.27, 2010 prior to 20.10.0.16,2008 prior to 20.8.0.28, 2007 prior to 20.7.0.14,2006 prior to 20.6.0.19, 2005 prior to 20.5.0.46, 2004 prior to 20.4.0.21, 2003 prior to 20.3.0.23, 2001 prior to 20.1.0.32, 1912 prior to 19.12.0.24) contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability. VMware Workspace ONE UEM console does not validate incoming requests during device enrollment after leading to rendering of unsanitized input on the user device in response.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-21990 affects VMware Workspace ONE UEM console versions prior to specific patches across multiple release branches including 2102, 2101, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2001, and 1912. This cross-site scripting vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the device enrollment process where the system fails to properly validate incoming requests. The flaw manifests when the console renders unsanitized input from user devices in its response, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts into the console's user interface. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links. The affected system processes device enrollment requests without adequate input sanitization, allowing attackers to manipulate the enrollment flow and potentially compromise user sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the device enrollment workflow where the UEM console receives input from devices attempting to register with the management system. When processing these requests, the system does not properly validate or sanitize the incoming data before rendering it in the user interface context. This failure allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through specially crafted enrollment requests that get executed in the context of other users' browser sessions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core enrollment functionality that is frequently used by administrators and end users, making it a prime target for exploitation. The flaw creates persistent XSS conditions where malicious scripts can execute in the browser context of authenticated users, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or privilege escalation within the management console environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-21990 extends beyond simple script injection as it provides attackers with a means to gain unauthorized access to the Workspace ONE UEM management console. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could execute malicious scripts in the browser of any user interacting with the console, potentially leading to complete compromise of the management environment. The vulnerability affects multiple versions simultaneously, indicating a systemic flaw in the input validation mechanisms across the product line. This creates a widespread risk for organizations using older versions of Workspace ONE UEM who may be unaware of their exposure. The exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be performed through standard enrollment requests, making it particularly dangerous in environments where device enrollment is a frequent administrative task.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest patches released by VMware for affected versions, which address the input validation issues in the enrollment process. Network segmentation and monitoring of enrollment traffic should be implemented to detect suspicious requests that may attempt to exploit this vulnerability. The use of web application firewalls can provide additional protection by filtering malicious input before it reaches the console. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected Workspace ONE UEM versions within their environment and prioritize patching based on risk assessment. Regular security awareness training for administrators should emphasize the importance of keeping management consoles updated and monitoring for unusual enrollment activity. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-160 and OWASP Top Ten 2021, particularly focusing on proper sanitization of user inputs and robust validation mechanisms to prevent XSS attacks.