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  3. CVE-2022-22960
Exploited in the wildServers & business softwareWork IT

CVE-2022-22960 VMware Multiple Products: privilege escalation

In plain words: Something running with limited rights can promote itself to full control. Turns a small foothold (like a malicious app) into administrator or system-level access.

Confirmed exploited by CISA on · US federal patch deadline May 6, 2022

What to do

  1. Install VMware's security update for Multiple Products. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships.
  2. Keep a list of every internet-facing server you run so nothing is forgotten.
  3. Patch anything in this catalog first, ahead of normal patch cycles.
  4. Put admin and file-transfer apps behind a VPN or single sign-on instead of the open internet.

Who is affected

Work IT. Aimed mostly at company systems — you are affected through the companies you use, not your own phone.

What's at risk: Mass data theft and ransomware: a single flaw in a file-transfer or email server has exposed thousands of organisations at once.

The details

Official name
VMware Multiple Products Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Product
VMware Multiple Products
CISA description
VMware Workspace ONE Access, Identity Manager and vRealize Automation contain a privilege escalation vulnerability due to improper permissions in support scripts.
Type of flaw
Privilege escalation (CWE-250)
Confirmed exploited
Apr 15, 2022
US federal patch deadline
May 6, 2022

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Answering about CVE-2022-22960 ·

Questions about CVE-2022-22960

Is CVE-2022-22960 being exploited?

Yes. CISA added CVE-2022-22960 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Apr 15, 2022, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks.

How do I fix CVE-2022-22960?

Install VMware's security update for Multiple Products. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships. Keep a list of every internet-facing server you run so nothing is forgotten.

Am I affected by CVE-2022-22960?

Only if you use VMware Multiple Products. Aimed mostly at company systems — you are affected through the companies you use, not your own phone.

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