CVE-2021-22036 in vRealize Orchestrator
Summary
by MITRE • 10/13/2021
VMware vRealize Orchestrator ((8.x prior to 8.6) contains an open redirect vulnerability due to improper path handling. A malicious actor may be able to redirect victim to an attacker controlled domain due to improper path handling in vRealize Orchestrator leading to sensitive information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-22036 represents a critical open redirect flaw within VMware vRealize Orchestrator version 8.x prior to 8.6. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation and improper path handling mechanisms that allow malicious actors to manipulate URL redirection parameters. The vulnerability specifically affects the authentication and authorization processes within the vRealize Orchestrator framework, creating a pathway for attackers to craft malicious redirection sequences that can deceive users into visiting attacker-controlled domains.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the application's failure to properly sanitize and validate redirect URLs during the authentication flow. When users attempt to access certain protected resources or perform authentication actions, the system processes redirect parameters without adequate validation checks. This improper path handling creates a condition where attacker-controlled input can be seamlessly integrated into the redirect mechanism, bypassing normal security boundaries that should prevent unauthorized redirection. The flaw operates at the application layer and specifically impacts the web interface components that manage user sessions and access controls.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing VMware vRealize Orchestrator environments. The open redirect condition can be exploited to facilitate phishing attacks where authenticated users are redirected to malicious domains designed to capture credentials or other sensitive information. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to create convincing fake login pages or malicious file download sites that appear legitimate to users within the trusted vRealize Orchestrator environment. The potential for credential theft, data exfiltration, and further lateral movement within the network makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous for enterprise environments that rely on vRealize Orchestrator for automation and orchestration tasks.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to VMware vRealize Orchestrator version 8.6 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the improper path handling. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and strict URL validation rules can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive monitoring of authentication logs and redirect activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-601 open redirect weaknesses and maps to attack patterns within the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the credential access and initial access domains, specifically targeting the use of phishing and social engineering techniques to compromise user sessions and gain unauthorized access to enterprise resources.
The remediation approach should include thorough testing of the patched environment to ensure that legitimate redirect functionality remains operational while eliminating the security loophole. Organizations should also review their access control policies and implement additional verification steps for critical system interactions. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar path handling issues in other components of the vRealize Orchestrator ecosystem and related VMware products.