CVE-2021-22042: High severity vmware vcenter server and cloud foundation vulnerability
VMware ESXi contains an unauthorized access vulnerability due to VMX having access to settingsd authorization tickets. A malicious actor with privileges within the VMX process only, may be able to access settingsd service running as a high privileged user.
Affected Software
Remediation
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the vulnerability ID for this unauthorized access vulnerability in VMware ESXi?
The vulnerability ID for this unauthorized access vulnerability in VMware ESXi is CVE-2021-22042.
What is the severity of CVE-2021-22042?
The severity of CVE-2021-22042 is high with a score of 7.8.
Which software versions are affected by this vulnerability?
The vulnerability affects VMware Cloud Foundation versions 4.0 to 4.4, and VMware ESXi versions 7.0 update 1 to update 3.
How does this vulnerability allow unauthorized access?
The vulnerability allows unauthorized access because the VMX process in VMware ESXi has access to settingsd authorization tickets, which can be exploited by a malicious actor with privileges within the VMX process.
Is there a fix available for CVE-2021-22042?
Yes, VMware has released a security advisory (VMSA-2022-0004) which provides details on the fix for CVE-2021-22042.