Actively exploited vulnerability
VMware SD-WAN Edge: code execution flaw under attack
CVE-2018-6961 · VMware SD-WAN Edge by VeloCloud Command Injection Vulnerability
What is affected
VMware SD-WAN Edge is found on ordinary personal computers and phones, so this is not only a problem for companies. If you use it and have not updated since the fix was released, you are exposed.
VMware SD-WAN Edge by VeloCloud contains a command injection vulnerability in the local web UI component. Successful exploitation of this issue could result in remote code execution.
What an attacker can do
This is a code execution flaw. It lets an attacker run their own commands or programs on the affected system. In practice that usually means taking it over: installing malware, stealing data or using it to reach other devices on the same network.
- How it is reached
- Over the internet or network
- Access the attacker needs
- No account needed
- Does the victim have to do something?
- No, works without the victim doing anything
What to do
- Update VMware SD-WAN Edge now. Open the update or "About" screen, install whatever is offered and restart the app or device, because the fix is not active until you do.
- Turn on automatic updates so the next fix arrives without you having to look for it.
- If your device is too old to receive this update, stop using the affected app for anything sensitive and plan a replacement.
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
How urgent is it
CISA added this vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on March 25, 2022, which means there is reliable evidence of attacks in the wild. US federal agencies must fix it by April 15, 2022, a deadline that has already passed. That deadline does not bind anyone else, but it shows how seriously the agency rates it.
The EPSS model estimates a 86% probability that this flaw will be exploited somewhere in the next 30 days. That is higher than 99.7% of all scored vulnerabilities.
Its CVSS severity score is 8.1 out of 10 (high), as recorded in the US National Vulnerability Database.
Technical description
VMware NSX SD-WAN Edge by VeloCloud prior to version 3.1.0 contains a command injection vulnerability in the local web UI component. This component is disabled by default and should not be enabled on untrusted networks. VeloCloud by VMware will be removing this service from the product in future releases. Successful exploitation of this issue could result in remote code execution.