Cyber Resilience

CVE-2023-34056

Vmware Vcenter Server 4.0 – 5.5

Published
25 October 2023
Modified
21 November 2024
Patch / advisory
CVSS Score v3.1 4.3
Click a component to see what it means
Raw vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
EPSS Score 0.0067 49th percentile
Risk Priority 38 floored blend · peak EPSS

Summary

CVE-2023-34056 is a medium-severity Insecure Storage of Sensitive Information (CWE-922) vulnerability in Vmware Vcenter Server. Its CVSS base score is 4.3 (Medium).

Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Unsecured Credentials (T1552); ranked at the 49th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)

EU & UK References

Vulnerability Data

vCenter Server contains a partial information disclosure vulnerability. A malicious actor with non-administrative privileges to vCenter Server may leverage this issue to access unauthorized data.

CWE(s)

Related Threats

MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques

T1552 Unsecured Credentials Credential Access
Adversaries may search compromised systems to find and obtain insecurely stored credentials.
T1552.001 Credentials In Files Credential Access
Adversaries may search local file systems and remote file shares for files containing insecurely stored credentials.
T1552.004 Private Keys Credential Access
Adversaries may search for private key certificate files on compromised systems for insecurely stored credentials.
T1552.006 Group Policy Preferences Credential Access
Adversaries may attempt to find unsecured credentials in Group Policy Preferences (GPP).
T1552.002 Credentials in Registry Credential Access
Adversaries may search the Registry on compromised systems for insecurely stored credentials.
Derived from this CVE’s CWE(s) via the direct CWE→ATT&CK cross-walk.

CVEs Like This One

CVE-2023-20892Same product: Vmware Vcenter Server
CVE-2023-20896Same product: Vmware Vcenter Server
CVE-2023-20893Same product: Vmware Vcenter Server
CVE-2023-20894Same product: Vmware Vcenter Server
CVE-2020-3952Same product: Vmware Vcenter Server
CVE-2023-34048Same product: Vmware Vcenter Server
CVE-2023-20895Same product: Vmware Vcenter Server
CVE-2021-22017Same product: Vmware Vcenter Server
CVE-2024-37087Same product: Vmware Vcenter Server
CVE-2024-22275Same product: Vmware Vcenter Server

Affected Assets

vmware
vcenter server
7.0, 8.0 · 4.0 — 5.5

Mitigating Controls

Control response

Prevent
Stop it (NIST 800-53)

Detect
Catch it (NIST detect / respond)

Harden
Shrink the surface (DISA STIG)
  • 3 hardening rules · 2 OS baselines
Validate
Prove the fix (OWASP ASVS)

Likely Mitigating Controls AI

Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.

addresses: CWE-922

Tracking information locations and access supports secure storage practices instead of insecure ones.

addresses: CWE-922

Establishing an alternate site with equivalent protections directly mitigates insecure storage of sensitive backup information.

addresses: CWE-922

Requiring protection of backup information directly addresses insecure storage of sensitive data in backups.

addresses: CWE-922

Policy explicitly addresses insecure storage of CUI on external systems, requiring compliant handling and protections.

addresses: CWE-922

Proper categorization drives selection of storage controls that keep sensitive information from being stored insecurely.

addresses: CWE-922

The control explicitly requires secure storage mechanisms for sensitive information, closing the insecure-storage weakness class.

addresses: CWE-922

Storing information as fragments on distinct components is an architectural control that avoids insecure single-location storage of the complete sensitive data set.

addresses: CWE-922

OPSEC requirements improve handling and storage practices for sensitive supply-chain information.

Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

PR.AA-05 mostly match
prevents

Enforces least-privilege permissions and authorization reviews that limit read/write access to stored sensitive data.

PR.DS-01 mostly match
prevents

Directly protects data-at-rest confidentiality via encryption or access controls that prevent unauthorized reads.

Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

mitigates

Secure reuse and disposal procedures, including cryptographic wiping and physical destruction, stop the insecure storage of sensitive data on media that may later be accessed by unauthorized actors.

prevents

Mandating secure disposal techniques stops the insecure retention of sensitive information on storage media that leaves organizational control.

Hardening callouts derived

Configuration rules from DISA STIG baselines that bear on weaknesses of the type cited by this CVE. Each rule is shown with the relationship its mapping actually records, against the CWE it was authored against. Derived via CVE→CWE over `controls_xwalks` (authoritative rows only; rows rated `none` are excluded).

Windows Server 2016 (2 rules)
  • V-224973 The Active Directory Domain Controllers Organizational Unit (OU) object must have the proper access control permissions. prevents CWE-922
  • V-224974 Domain-created Active Directory Organizational Unit (OU) objects must have proper access control permissions. prevents CWE-922
Windows Server 2019 (1 rule)
  • V-205743 Windows Server 2019 organization created Active Directory Organizational Unit (OU) objects must have proper access control permissions. prevents CWE-922

References