Contents

  • Vital information on this issue
  • Scanning For and Finding Vulnerabilities in VMware ESX Running Version Prior to 4.1
  • Penetration Testing (Pentest) for this Vulnerability
  • Security updates on Vulnerabilities in VMware ESX Running Version Prior to 4.1
  • Disclosures related to Vulnerabilities in VMware ESX Running Version Prior to 4.1
  • Confirming the Presence of Vulnerabilities in VMware ESX Running Version Prior to 4.1
  • False positive/negatives
  • Patching/Repairing this vulnerability
  • Exploits related to Vulnerabilities in VMware ESX Running Version Prior to 4.1

Vital Information on This Issue

Vulnerabilities in VMware ESX Running Version Prior to 4.1 is a high risk vulnerability that is one of the most frequently found on networks around the world. This issue has been around since at least 1990 but has proven either difficult to detect, difficult to resolve or prone to being overlooked entirely.

Vulnerability Name:Vulnerabilities in VMware ESX Running Version Prior to 4.1
Test ID:17305
Risk:High
Category:Web Servers
Type:Attack
Summary:
Impact:An attacker could run commands or code on the ESX server, cause a denial of service, disclose system information, gain escalated privileges, or access the server with any username and password combination.
Solution:Upgrade to a supported version of ESXi.
CVE:CVE-2008-0967

CVE-2008-2097

CVE-2008-2100

CVE-2008-2101

CVE-2008-4279

CVE-2008-4914

CVE-2008-4281

CVE-2008-4915

CVE-2008-4917

CVE-2008-7270

CVE-2009-1244

CVE-2009-1805

CVE-2009-2267

CVE-2009-3733

CVE-2010-1141

CVE-2010-1142

CVE-2010-1321

CVE-2010-2054

CVE-2010-3170

CVE-2010-3173

CVE-2010-3541

CVE-2010-3548

CVE-2010-3549

CVE-2010-3550

CVE-2010-3551

CVE-2010-3552

CVE-2010-3553

CVE-2010-3554

CVE-2010-3555

CVE-2010-3556

CVE-2010-3557

CVE-2010-3558

CVE-2010-3559

CVE-2010-3560

CVE-2010-3561

CVE-2010-3562

CVE-2010-3563

CVE-2010-3565

CVE-2010-3566

CVE-2010-3567

CVE-2010-3568

CVE-2010-3569

CVE-2010-3570

CVE-2010-3571

CVE-2010-3572

CVE-2010-3573

CVE-2010-3574

CVE-2010-4180

CVE-2010-4297

CVE-2010-4422

CVE-2010-4447

CVE-2010-4448

CVE-2010-4450

CVE-2010-4451

CVE-2010-4452

CVE-2010-4454

CVE-2010-4462

CVE-2010-4463

CVE-2010-4465

CVE-2010-4466

CVE-2010-4467

CVE-2010-4468

CVE-2010-4469

CVE-2010-4470

CVE-2010-4471

CVE-2010-4472

CVE-2010-4473

CVE-2010-4474

CVE-2010-4475

CVE-2010-4476

CVE-2011-0002

CVE-2011-0802

CVE-2011-0814

CVE-2011-0815

CVE-2011-0862

CVE-2011-0864

CVE-2011-0865

CVE-2011-0867

CVE-2011-0871

CVE-2011-0873

CVE-2011-1787

CVE-2011-2145

CVE-2011-2146
More Information:http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1037257
Nist NVD (CVSS):(AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C)
CVSS Score:10

Scanning For and Finding Vulnerabilities in VMware ESX Running Version Prior to 4.1

Use of Vulnerability Management tools, like AVDS, are standard practice for the discovery of this vulnerability. The primary failure of VA in finding this vulnerability is related to setting the proper scope and frequency of network scans. It is vital that the broadest range of hosts (active IPs) possible are scanned and that scanning is done frequently. We recommend weekly. Your existing scanning solution or set of test tools should make this not just possible, but easy and affordable. If that is not the case, please consider AVDS.

Penetration Testing (pentest) for this Vulnerability

The Vulnerabilities in VMware ESX Running Version Prior to 4.1 is prone to false positive reports by most vulnerability assessment solutions. AVDS is alone in using behavior based testing that eliminates this issue. For all other VA tools security consultants will recommend confirmation by direct observation. In any case Penetration testing procedures for discovery of Vulnerabilities in VMware ESX Running Version Prior to 4.1 produces the highest discovery accuracy rate, but the infrequency of this expensive form of testing degrades its value. The ideal would be to have pentesting accuracy and the frequency and scope possibilities of VA solutions, and this is accomplished only by AVDS.

Security Updates on Vulnerabilities in VMware ESX Running Version Prior to 4.1

Given that this is one of the most frequently found vulnerabilities, there is ample information regarding mitigation online and very good reason to get it fixed. Hackers are also aware that this is a frequently found vulnerability and so its discovery and repair is that much more important. It is so well known and common that any network that has it present and unmitigated indicates “low hanging fruit” to attackers.

Disclosures related to this vulnerability

https://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list/vendor_id-252/product_id-14180/version_id-100772/Vmware-Esxi-4.1.html

Confirming the Presence of Vulnerabilities in VMware ESX Running Version Prior to 4.1

AVDS is currently testing for and finding this vulnerability with zero false positives. If your current set of tools is indicating that it is present but you think it is probably a false positive, please contact us for a demonstration of AVDS.

False positive/negatives

The secret killer of VA solution value is the false positive. There was an industry wide race to find the most vulnerabilities, including Vulnerabilities in VMware ESX Running Version Prior to 4.1 ,and this resulted in benefit to poorly written tests that beef up scan reports by adding a high percentage of uncertainty. This may have sold a lot of systems some years ago, but it also stuck almost all VA solutions with deliberately inaccurate reporting that adds time to repairs that no administrator can afford. Beyond Security did not participate in this race to mutually assured destruction of the industry and to this day produces the most accurate and actionable reports available.

Patching/Repairing this Vulnerability

https://www.vmware.com/support/vsphere4/doc/vsp_esx41_u3_rel_notes.html Vulnerabilities in VMware ESX Running Version Prior to 4.1 is a high risk vulnerability that is also high frequency and high visibility. This is the most severe combination of security factors that exists and it is extremely important to find it on your network and fix it as soon as possible.

Exploits related to Vulnerabilities in VMware ESX Running Version Prior to 4.1

To exploit the vulnerability an attacker would have to intercept and modify management traffic. If successful, the hacker would compromise the hostd-VMDBs, which would lead to a denial of service for parts of the program

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