CVE-2025-37101 in OneView for VMware vCenter
Summary
by MITRE • 06/26/2025
A potential security vulnerability has been identified in HPE OneView for VMware vCenter (OV4VC). This vulnerability could be exploited allowing an attacker with read only privilege to cause Vertical Privilege Escalation (operator can perform admin actions).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-37101 affects HPE OneView for VMware vCenter, a critical management tool that integrates with VMware vCenter Server to provide unified infrastructure management capabilities. This system serves as a central point for managing compute, network, and storage resources within virtualized environments, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to expand their access privileges. The vulnerability exists within the privilege escalation mechanisms of the platform, specifically allowing users with read-only permissions to potentially execute administrative actions that should be restricted to authorized administrators only.
The technical flaw manifests as a vertical privilege escalation vulnerability that undermines the principle of least privilege enforcement within the HPE OneView for VMware vCenter environment. This weakness likely stems from improper access control validation or insufficient authorization checks when processing administrative commands or API requests. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can leverage their read-only access to perform operations that require elevated privileges, effectively bypassing the intended security boundaries between different user roles. The vulnerability represents a significant design flaw in the access control implementation that allows privilege levels to be escalated through legitimate system interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, creating substantial risks for organizations relying on HPE OneView for VMware vCenter for their infrastructure management. An attacker with read-only access could potentially compromise entire virtualized environments by executing administrative actions such as modifying system configurations, creating or deleting virtual machines, accessing sensitive data, or manipulating network settings. This vulnerability undermines the security posture of the entire VMware vCenter ecosystem, as it allows attackers to move laterally within the management plane and potentially gain access to underlying physical infrastructure. The risk is particularly concerning given that many organizations grant read-only access to multiple users for monitoring purposes, inadvertently creating attack vectors for privilege escalation.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting access to HPE OneView for VMware vCenter to only necessary personnel with appropriate administrative privileges, implementing strict role-based access controls, and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to the HPE OneView management interfaces. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar privilege escalation vulnerabilities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276 which describes improper privilege management, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring for administrative API calls and user behavior analytics to detect anomalous activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.