CVE-2024-22275 in vCenter Server
Summary
by MITRE • 05/21/2024
The vCenter Server contains a partial file read vulnerability. A malicious actor with administrative privileges on the vCenter appliance shell may exploit this issue to partially read arbitrary files containing sensitive data.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2025
The CVE-2024-22275 vulnerability represents a critical partial file read flaw within VMware vCenter Server that poses significant security risks to virtualized environments. This vulnerability specifically affects the vCenter Server appliance and stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize file paths during read operations. The flaw exists in the server's file handling routines where user-supplied input is directly processed without adequate sanitization, creating opportunities for unauthorized data access. Security researchers have identified that this vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors who already possess administrative privileges on the vCenter appliance shell, making it particularly concerning for environments where privilege escalation is not adequately controlled. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data exposure as it can potentially reveal sensitive configuration files, authentication credentials, and other confidential information that could be leveraged for further attacks within the virtual infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic path traversal weakness that aligns with CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. The flaw occurs when the vCenter Server processes file read requests and fails to properly validate or sanitize the file path parameter before executing the read operation. This allows an attacker with administrative shell access to manipulate file path inputs and access files outside of intended directories, though the partial read limitation suggests that the vulnerability may be restricted to specific file access patterns or may require additional exploitation techniques to achieve full read capabilities. The vulnerability's exploitation requires pre-existing administrative access to the vCenter appliance shell, which places it in the category of privilege escalation vulnerabilities according to ATT&CK framework's T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. However, the fact that it can be exploited by someone already possessing administrative privileges means that it can be leveraged to extract sensitive data from system files that should normally be restricted from direct access.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-22275 extends far beyond simple data exposure, as it can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of virtualized environments that rely heavily on vCenter Server for management operations. Organizations using vCenter Server are particularly vulnerable since the system typically contains sensitive configuration data, user credentials, and operational information that could be used to compromise the entire virtual infrastructure. The partial read capability means that attackers can extract specific portions of sensitive files, potentially including encryption keys, database connection strings, or other critical operational data that could be used to escalate attacks or maintain persistence within the environment. This vulnerability is especially dangerous in multi-tenant environments or organizations with complex virtual infrastructures where the exposure of configuration data could provide attackers with insights into network topology, system configurations, and operational procedures. The vulnerability's impact is amplified when considering that vCenter Server serves as the central management point for VMware virtual environments, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to gain deeper access to enterprise infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-22275 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. VMware has released patches and updates to address this vulnerability, which should be applied immediately to all affected vCenter Server installations. Organizations should also implement additional controls such as restricting administrative shell access to only trusted personnel, implementing strict access controls for vCenter Server components, and conducting regular security audits of administrative access logs. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that administrative access is granted only to individuals who require such privileges for their specific roles. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should review and strengthen their overall vCenter Server security posture by implementing proper configuration management, regular vulnerability scanning, and comprehensive logging of administrative activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and access control mechanisms within server applications, particularly those handling sensitive data and system files. Security teams should also consider implementing automated monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on suspicious file access patterns that might indicate exploitation of similar vulnerabilities, as this type of attack could potentially be used as part of a broader compromise strategy.