VMware vCenter Server Information Disclosure Vulnerability due to Improper File Permissions (CVE-2022-22948) Analysis and Mitigation Guide
Executive & SecOps Summary
SECOPS ASSESSMENTUnpatched VMware vCenter Server versions 6.5, 6.7, and 7.0
A malicious actor with non-administrative or local access can read sensitive configuration files and credentials, potentially leading to full infrastructure compromise
Apply official VMware security patches (VMSA-2022-0009) immediately, or restrict file permissions on sensitive configuration files as a temporary workaround
Affected Products & Version Scope
Remediation & Live Workaround Commands
PATCH & WORKAROUND1. Official Patch & Version Upgrade Commands
Follow the official VMware advisory (VMSA-2022-0009) to upgrade vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA) to a secure version. Use the following commands in the Appliance Shell to stage and install the patch:
# Stage the latest available patches from the repository
software-packages stage --url --acceptEulas
# Install the staged update packages
software-packages install --staged
# Verify that all services are running correctly after the update
service-control --status2. Temporary Workaround & Hardening Configuration
If patching cannot be applied immediately, manually restrict permissions on sensitive configuration files to prevent unauthorized local access:
# Access VCSA via SSH and restrict permissions on sensitive files
chmod 600 /etc/vmware-vpx/vcdb.properties
chmod 600 /etc/vmware/vpxd.cfg
# Restrict directory access permissions
chmod 700 /etc/vmware-vpx/3. Log Audit & IoC Verification Commands
Run the following commands to audit file permissions and inspect local user activity for potential exploitation attempts:
# Check current permissions of critical configuration files
ls -la /etc/vmware-vpx/vcdb.properties /etc/vmware/vpxd.cfg
# Audit local user login history and command execution logs
last -f /var/log/wtmp
grep -E 'vcdb|vpxd' /root/.bash_history /home/*/.bash_history 2>/dev/nullDetect Container Escape & Privilege Escalation Across Your Kubernetes Fleet
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Technical Root Cause & Exploitation Mechanics
1. Vulnerability Overview & Root Cause
This vulnerability (CVE-2022-22948) exists in VMware vCenter Server due to improper permission settings (CWE-276) on critical configuration files and directories. Sensitive information, including database credentials and internal configuration parameters, is stored in files that are readable by non-administrative or local users (world-readable), violating the principle of least privilege.
2. Exploitation Mechanics & Attack Scenario
An attacker who has obtained low-privileged local shell access or non-administrative access to the vCenter Server can exploit this vulnerability. By executing standard file-reading commands, the attacker can access configuration files containing database connection strings, backup credentials, or API tokens. These harvested credentials can then be used to escalate privileges to root or administrator, leading to lateral movement across the virtualized environment.
3. Infrastructure & Business Impact
As vCenter Server is the central management hub for ESXi hosts and virtual machines, any credential exposure poses a severe risk to the entire enterprise virtualization infrastructure. Unauthorized access can lead to VM tampering, data exfiltration, or ransomware deployment. Since this vulnerability is listed in the CISA KEV catalog, immediate remediation is highly recommended due to active exploitation history.
Official Vendor Advisories & References
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.
Frequently Asked SecOps Questions (CVE-2022-22948)
FAQQ1. How critical is CVE-2022-22948 and is it actively exploited in the wild?
CVE-2022-22948 is rated CVSS 6.5 (MEDIUM) with a 30-day EPSS exploitation probability of 13.3%. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, requiring immediate emergency remediation.
Q2. Which vendors and products are affected by CVE-2022-22948?
Primary impacted vendors include vmware across vcenter_server. Scope summary: VMware vCenter Server 6.5, 6.7, and 7.0 (Fixed in 7.0 Update 3e, 6.7 Update 3q, and 6.5 Update 3u)
Q3. What temporary mitigations or workarounds exist for CVE-2022-22948 before patching?
[Mitigation] Apply official VMware security patches (VMSA-2022-0009) immediately, or restrict file permissions on sensitive configuration files as a temporary workaround Follow the CLI remediation commands and interactive SecOps checklist on this page to restrict exposure prior to your maintenance window.
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