VMSA-2021-0006:VMware NSX-T updates address a privilege escalation vulnerability
23592
17 April 2021
17 April 2021
CLOSED
HIGH
7.5
CVE-2021-21981
1. Impacted Products
- VMware NSX-T
2. Introduction
A privilege escalation vulnerability in VMware NSX-T was privately reported to VMware. Updates are available to remediate this vulnerability in affected VMware product.
3. Privilege escalation vulnerability (CVE-2021-21981)
Description
VMware NSX-T contains a privilege escalation vulnerability due to an issue with RBAC (Role based access control) role assignment. VMware has evaluated this issue to be 'Important' severity with a maximum CVSSv3 base score of 7.5.
Known Attack Vectors
Successful exploitation of this issue may allow attackers with local guest user account to assign privileges higher than their own permission level.
Resolution
To remediate CVE-2021-21981 apply the patches listed in the 'Fixed Version' column of the 'Response Matrix' found below.
Workarounds
Workarounds for CVE-2021-21981 have been listed in the 'Workarounds' column of the 'Response Matrix' below.
Additional Documentation
None.
Notes
[1] To exploit this issue, NSX Enterprise administrator must activate the local guest user account. It is not activated by default.
[2] This issue affects only version 3.1.1. Other versions are not affected.
Acknowledgements
None.
Response Matrix
4. References
VMware NSX-T 3.1.2
Downloads and Documentation:
https://my.vmware.com/en/web/vmware/downloads/details?downloadGroup=NSX-T-312&productId=982&rPId=64728
https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-NSX-T-Data-Center/index.html
Mitre CVE Dictionary Links:
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21981
FIRST CVSSv3 Calculator:
CVE-2021-21981: https://www.first.org/cvss/calculator/3.1#CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
5. Change Log
2021-04-19 VMSA-2021-0006
Initial security advisory.
6. Contact
E-mail list for product security notifications and announcements:
https://lists.vmware.com/mailman/listinfo/security-announce
This Security Advisory is posted to the following lists:
E-mail: [email protected]
PGP key at:
VMware Security Advisories
https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories
VMware Security Response Policy
https://www.vmware.com/support/policies/security_response.html
VMware Lifecycle Support Phases
https://www.vmware.com/support/policies/lifecycle.html
VMware Security & Compliance Blog
https://blogs.vmware.com/security
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