Vulnerability identifier: #VU323
Vulnerability risk: Medium
CVSSv3.1: 5.7 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]
CVE-ID:
CWE-ID:
CWE-798
Exploitation vector: Network
Exploit availability: No
Vulnerable software:
VMware Photon OS OVA
Operating systems & Components /
Operating system
Vendor: VMware, Inc
Description
The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to gain unauthorized access to the system.
The vulnerability exists due to usage of default public SSH key in all versions of Photon OS 1.0 OVAs, downloaded before August 14, 2016. A remote attacker with the corresponding private SSH key can gain access to vulnerable system using default SSH keys.
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability will allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to vulnerable system.
Mitigation
Download a new version of Photon OS 1.0 OVA, released after August 14, 2016.
Users that have downloaded the PhotonOS 1.0 OVAs before August 14, 2016 should take either of the following procedures to ensure the security of their systems:
rm –f /root/.ssh/authorized_keys
sed –i '/photon-jenkins/d' /root/.ssh/authorized_keys
Vulnerable software versions
VMware Photon OS OVA: 1.0
External links
http://github.com/vmware/photon/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md
http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2016-0012.html
Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?
Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.
Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?
No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.