Security Bulletin
Summary
Multiple vulnerabilities have been identified in VMware, a supporting product shipped with IBM Cloud Pak System. Vulnerabilities in VMware vSphere Client (HTML5) for VMware vCenter plugins in vRealize Operations Environment, not used in Cloud Pak Systems, but for VMware vulnerabile vCenter endpoints exist. The recommendation is to apply workaround. Refer to the corresponding sections below for details.
Vulnerability Details
DESCRIPTION: VMware vCenter Server could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by an error in the vSphere Client (HTML5). By sending a specially crafted request to port 443, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the system.
CVSS Base score: 9.8
CVSS Temporal Score: See: https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/197192 for the current score.
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)
CVEID: CVE-2021-21973
DESCRIPTION: VMware vCenter Server is vulnerable to server-side request forgery, caused by improper validation of URLs in the vSphere Client (HTML5). By sending a specially-crafted POST request, a remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to obtain sensitive information.
CVSS Base score: 5.3
CVSS Temporal Score: See: https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/197197 for the current score.
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N)
Affected Products and Versions
| Affected Product(s) | Version(s) |
| IBM Cloud Pak System | 2.3.x.x |
Remediation/Fixes
For unsupported version/release/platform, IBM recommends upgrading to fixed supported version of the of the product. Contact IBM CPS SWAT team for assistance.
Vulnerabilities remote code execution vulnerability (CVE-2021-21972) and server side request forgery (SSRF) (CVE-2021-21973) identified in VMware vSphere Client (HTML5) for VMware vCenter plugins in vRealize Operations Environment. These are not enabled by Cloud Pak Systems, but in VMware vCenter endpoints exist.
Refer to the following Workaround and Mitigations section for more information.
Workarounds and Mitigations
The workaround and mitigations are for the IBM Cloud Pak System v2.3.3.0, v2.3.3.3, v2.3.3.3 Interim Fix 1.
Vulnerabilities in VMware vSphere Client (HTML5) for VMware vCenter plugins in vRealize Operations Environment is not used in IBM Cloud Pak System, but for VMware vulnerable vCenter the endpoints exist. Until fix is available and can be deployed, the solution is to disable the vROps plugins and set them as 'incompatible'. This is a temporary solution that removes the possibility of exploitation.
The recommendation is to disable the plugins endpoint. Consult https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/82374 for details. Contact IBM CPS Support (L2/L3) team for assistance.
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References
Acknowledgement
Change History
11 Aug 2021: Initial Publication
*The CVSS Environment Score is customer environment specific and will ultimately impact the Overall CVSS Score. Customers can evaluate the impact of this vulnerability in their environments by accessing the links in the Reference section of this Security Bulletin.
Disclaimer
Review the IBM security bulletin disclaimer and definitions regarding your responsibilities for assessing potential impact of security vulnerabilities to your environment.
Document Location
Worldwide
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Document Information
Modified date:
05 October 2021
UID
ibm16485985