CVE-2021-26987 in Element Plug-In for vCenter Server
Summary
by MITRE • 03/16/2021
Element Plug-in for vCenter Server incorporates SpringBoot Framework. SpringBoot Framework versions prior to 1.3.2 are susceptible to a vulnerability which when successfully exploited could lead to Remote Code Execution. All versions of Element Plug-in for vCenter Server, Management Services versions prior to 2.17.56 and Management Node versions through 12.2 contain vulnerable versions of SpringBoot Framework.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-26987 affects the Element Plug-in for vCenter Server ecosystem, specifically targeting the SpringBoot Framework component that underpins various management services. This issue represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability that exploits weaknesses in SpringBoot versions prior to 1.3.2, creating a significant threat vector for attackers seeking to compromise virtualized environments. The Element Plug-in for vCenter Server serves as a crucial interface for managing storage resources within VMware environments, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could enable unauthorized access to core infrastructure management functions.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and security controls within the vulnerable SpringBoot Framework versions, which allows malicious actors to craft specially crafted requests that can execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly attractive to threat actors who seek to gain persistent access to enterprise environments. The exploitation process typically involves sending malicious payloads through the vCenter Server management interface, which then processes these inputs through the vulnerable SpringBoot components, ultimately leading to code execution with the privileges of the affected service account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within the network infrastructure. Organizations using Element Plug-in for vCenter Server with affected versions face significant risks including data breaches, system compromise, and disruption of critical storage management operations. The vulnerability affects multiple components including Management Services versions prior to 2.17.56 and Management Node versions through 12.2, creating a broad attack surface that requires comprehensive patching across the entire Element storage platform ecosystem. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-434, which addresses insecure file upload and download scenarios, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute malicious commands on compromised systems.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to Element Plug-in for vCenter Server versions 2.17.56 or later, which contain patched SpringBoot Framework components. System administrators must conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all affected systems and ensure complete patch deployment across all management services and nodes. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to restrict access to vCenter Server management interfaces, enabling strict firewall rules to limit communication to only necessary endpoints, and monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all components of virtualized infrastructure, as this issue demonstrates how seemingly isolated framework vulnerabilities can create widespread compromise opportunities within enterprise environments.