SRC-2022-0021 : VMWare Cloud Foundation NSX-V XStream Deserialization of Untrusted Data Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

CVE ID: CVE-2021-39144

CVSS Score: 9.8, (/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)

Affected Vendors: VMWare

Affected Products: Cloud Foundation NSX-V

Vulnerability Details:

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of VMWare Cloud Foundation NSX-V. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.

The specific flaw exists due to a vulnerable unmarshaller used to handle incoming java objects. The issue results from allowing attackers use dynamic proxies when providing marshalled java objects. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of root.

Vendor Response:

VMWare has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at: https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2022-0027.html

Disclosure Timeline:

• 2022-08-03 – Sent to VMWare PSIRT

• 2022-10-26 – Coordinated public release of advisory

Proof of Concept: /pocs/cve-2021-39144.py.txt

Credit: This vulnerability was discovered by Sina Kheirkhah and Steven Seeley of Source Incite