(PT-2016-31) Positive Technologies Security Advisory
XML External Entity Injection in vCenter Server

Vulnerable software

vCenter Server
Versions: 5.5, 6.0

Links:
http://www.vmware.com/

Severity level

Severity level: Medium
Impact: Information disclosure
Access Vector: Remote

CVSS v2:
Base Score: 4.0
Vector: (AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:N/A:N)

CVE: CVE-2016-7459

Software description

vCenter Server is a centralized platform for VMware vSphere environment management. It allows to automate the virtualization infrastructure and ensures its reliable operation.

Vulnerability description

The specialists of the Positive Research center have detected an XML External Entity Injection in vCenter Server.

Vulnerability in the Log Browser, Distributed Switch setup, and Content Library in the vCenter Server allows an authorized user to obtain sensitive information by sending a specially crafted XML request to the server.

How to fix

Update your software up to the latest version

Advisory status

23.10.2015 - Vendor gets vulnerability details
22.11.2016 - Vendor releases fixed version and details
25.11.2016 - Public disclosure

Credits

The vulnerability was detected by Vladimir Ivanov, Andrey Evlanin, Mikhail Stepankin, Artem Kondratenko, Arseniy Sharoglazov, Positive Research Center (Positive Technologies Company)

References

http://en.securitylab.ru/lab/PT-2016-31
http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2016-0022.html

Reports on the vulnerabilities previously discovered by Positive Research:

http://www.ptsecurity.com
http://en.securitylab.ru/lab/

About Positive Technologies

Positive Technologies is a leading provider of vulnerability assessment, compliance management and threat analysis solutions to more than 1,000 global enterprise clients. Our solutions work seamlessly across your entire business: securing applications in development; assessing your network and application vulnerabilities; assuring compliance with regulatory requirements; and blocking real-time attacks. Our commitment to clients and research has earned Positive Technologies a reputation as one of the foremost authorities on SCADA, Banking, Telecom, Web Application and ERP security, and distinction as the #1 fastest growing Security and Vulnerability Management firm in 2012, as shown in an IDC report*. To learn more about Positive Technologies please visit www.ptsecurity.com

*Source: IDC Worldwide Security and Vulnerability Management 2013-2017 Forecast and 2012 Vendor Shares, doc #242465, August 2013. Based on year-over-year revenue growth in 2012 for vendors with revenues of $20M+