VMware Security Advisories
Advisory ID | VMSA-2019-0018 |
Advisory Severity | Moderate |
CVSSv3 Range | 6.8 |
Synopsis | VMware vCenter Server Appliance updates address sensitive information disclosure vulnerability in backup and restore functions (CVE-2019-5537, CVE-2019-5538) |
Issue Date | 2019-10-24 |
Updated On | 2019-10-24 (Initial Advisory) |
CVE(s) | CVE-2019-5537, CVE-2019-5538 |
1. Impacted Products
VMware vCenter Server Appliance
2. Introduction
Vulnerabilities in the File-Based Backup and Restore functions of vCenter Server Appliance were privately reported to the VMware Security Response Center. Updates are available which allow enablement of strict certificate validation to remediate these vulnerabilities.
3. VMware vCenter Server Appliance sensitive information disclosure vulnerabilities in File-Based Backup and Restore functions (CVE-2019-5537 and CVE-2019-5538)
Description:
Sensitive information disclosure vulnerabilities resulting from a lack of certificate validation during the File-Based Backup and Restore operations of VMware vCenter Server Appliance may allow a malicious actor to intercept sensitive data in transit over FTPS and HTTPS (CVE-2019-5537) as well as SCP (CVE-2019-5538). VMware has evaluated the severity of these issues to be in the Moderate severity range with a maximum CVSSv3 base score of 6.8.
Known Attack Vectors:
A malicious actor with man-in-the-middle positioning between vCenter Server Appliance and a backup target may be able to intercept sensitive data in transit during File-Based Backup and Restore operations.
Resolution:
To remediate CVE-2019-5537 and CVE-2019-5538 first apply the patches listed in the 'Fixed Version' column and then follow the instructions documented in KB75156 listed in the 'Additional Documentation' column found in the 'Resolution Matrix' below to enforce strict certificate validation.
Workarounds:
None.
Additional Documentation:
To avoid breaking currently configured File-Based Backup and Restore workflows, remediation of CVE-2019-5537 and CVE-2019-5538 is not enabled by default. After upgrading vCenter Server Appliance, follow the steps in KB75156 to enforce strict certificate validation.
Notes:
None.
Acknowledgements:
VMware would like to thank Thorsten Tüllmann, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and James Renken for independently reporting these issues to us.
Response Matrix:
Product | Version | Running On | CVE Identifier | CVSSV3 | Severity | Fixed Version | Workarounds | Additional Documents |
vCenter Server Appliance | 6.7 | Virtual Appliance |
CVE-2019-5537, CVE-2019-5538 | 6.8 | Moderate | 6.7u3a | None | KB75156 |
vCenter Server Appliance | 6.5 | Virtual Appliance | CVE-2019-5537, CVE-2019-5538 | 6.8 | Moderate | 6.5u3d | None | KB75156 |
vCenter Server Appliance | 6.0 | Virtual Appliance | CVE-2019-5537, CVE-2019-5538 | N/A | N/A | Unaffected | None | None |
4. References
Fixed Version(s) and Release Notes:
VMware vCenter Server Appliance 6.7u3a
https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/details?productId=742&rPId=38207&downloadGroup=VC67U3a
VMware vCenter Server Appliance 6.5u3d
https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/details?productId=614&rPId=38398&downloadGroup=ESXI65U3D
Additional Documentation:
https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/75156
FIRST CVSSv3 Calculator:
https://www.first.org/cvss/calculator/3.0#CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N
Mitre CVE Dictionary Links:
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2019-5537
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2019-5538
5. Change log
2019-10-24: VMSA-2019-0018
Initial security advisory detailing remediations for CVE-2019-5537 and CVE-2019-5538 in VMware vCenter Server Appliance 6.7u3a and 6.5u3d.
6. Contact
E-mail list for product security notifications and announcements:
https://lists.vmware.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/security-announce
This Security Advisory is posted to the following lists:
security-announce@lists.vmware.com
E-mail: security@vmware.com
PGP key at:
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https://www.vmware.com/support/policies/security_response.html
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VMware Security & Compliance Blog
https://blogs.vmware.com/security
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