XXE attack in vSphere Client - CVE-2016-7458
Published: November 23, 2016 / Updated: November 23, 2016
Vulnerability identifier: #VU1186
CSH Severity: Low
CVSS v4.0: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:L/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear
CVE-ID: CVE-2016-7458
CWE-ID: CWE-611
Exploitation vector: Remote access
Exploit availability:
No public exploit available
Vendor: VMware, Inc
Affected software:
vSphere Client
vSphere Client
Detailed vulnerability description
The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to obtain potentially sensitive information.
The vulnerability exists due to incorrect handling of XML requests. A remote attacker can trick the victim to connect to malicious vCenter Server or ESXi server, send to client specially crafted XML External Entity (XXE) data and obtain potentially sensitive information from victim's system.
Successful exploitation of the vulnerability may allow an attacker to obtain potentially sensitive information.
How to mitigate CVE-2016-7458
The vulnerability is fixed in vSphere Client 5.5 U3e and 6.0 U2a.
Note: in order to remediate the vulnerability, the vSphere Client should be reinstalled.