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CVE-2017-4919: VMware vCenter Server: Missing Authentication for Critical Functionality

CVE-2017-4919 is rated critical with a CVSS v3.0 base score of 9.0 and affects VMware vCenter Server. Per its scoring, it can be exploited over the network, without authentication, without any user interaction. The scored impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability is the highest available.

Vulnerability description

VMware vCenter Server 5.5, 6.0, 6.5 allows vSphere users with certain, limited vSphere privileges to use the VIX API to access Guest Operating Systems without the need to authenticate.

Severity breakdown

CVSS v3.0 9.0: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

  • Attack vector: Network. Exploitable remotely over the network, with no need for local or physical access.
  • Attack complexity: High. Success depends on conditions outside the attacker’s control.
  • Privileges required: None. No account or prior access is needed.
  • User interaction: None. No action from any user is needed.
  • Scope: Changed. Impact reaches beyond the vulnerable component to other resources.
  • Confidentiality impact: High. Total loss of confidentiality; sensitive data can be fully disclosed.
  • Integrity impact: High. Total loss of integrity; data or system state can be fully modified.
  • Availability impact: High. Total loss of availability; the component can be shut down.

Underlying weakness

CWE-306: Missing Authentication for Critical Functionality

The product does not perform any authentication for functionality that requires a provable user identity or consumes a significant amount of resources.

Affected products

  • VMware vCenter Server: 5.5; 6.0; 6.5

References