How to remediate – VMware OVF Tool Detection (Mac OS X)

1. Introduction

VMware OVF Tool is a command line utility installed on Mac OS X systems that supports importing and exporting Open Virtualization Format templates. Its presence indicates the capability to manage virtual machines, which could be used maliciously if compromised. This vulnerability has an informational severity as it does not represent an immediate exploitable flaw but highlights a potential attack surface. A successful compromise of a system with this tool installed may impact confidentiality, integrity, and availability of virtual machine data.

2. Technical Explanation

The VMware OVF Tool is installed by administrators to manage virtual machines using the Open Virtualization Format. While not inherently vulnerable itself, its presence expands the attack surface on a system. An attacker gaining access to a host with this tool could potentially use it to manipulate or export sensitive virtual machine data. There isn’t a specific CVE associated with simply having the tool installed; however, vulnerabilities within OVF templates themselves are common.

• Root cause: The presence of the utility expands the attack surface on a system.
• Exploit mechanism: An attacker could use the tool to export virtual machine data if they have sufficient privileges. This is not an automated exploit but requires existing access.
• Scope: Mac OS X systems where VMware OVF Tool has been installed.

3. Detection and Assessment

You can confirm the presence of the tool by checking for its installation directory or running a command to display its version. Scanning tools may identify it as part of an overall software inventory.

• Quick checks: Run which ovftool in the terminal. If installed, this will show the path to the executable (e.g., /usr/local/bin/ovftool).
• Scanning: Nessus plugin ID 16873 may identify the tool as part of a software inventory check. This is an example only.
• Logs and evidence: There are no specific logs associated with simply having the tool installed.

which ovftool

4. Solution / Remediation Steps

If the VMware OVF Tool is not required, it should be removed to reduce the attack surface. If needed, ensure it’s kept up-to-date with the latest version.

4.1 Preparation

• Backups are generally not required for removing this tool. Stop any running processes that might use OVF templates if applicable.
• Dependencies: None known. Roll back plan involves reinstalling the VMware OVF Tool from official sources.
• Change window needs: Standard change control procedures may apply depending on your organisation’s policies.

4.2 Implementation

1. Step 1: Remove the tool using the package manager if it was installed that way (e.g., brew uninstall vmware-ovftool).
2. Step 2: If installed manually, delete the executable and any associated files from /usr/local/bin or other installation directories.

4.3 Config or Code Example

Before

ls /usr/local/bin/ovftool

After

ls /usr/local/bin/ovftool # Should return "No such file or directory"

4.4 Security Practices Relevant to This Vulnerability

Least privilege and a robust patch cadence are relevant practices for this vulnerability type.

• Practice 1: Least privilege reduces the impact if the tool is exploited by limiting user access.
• Practice 2: A regular patch cadence ensures that any vulnerabilities in the tool itself or related components are addressed promptly.

4.5 Automation (Optional)

#!/bin/bash
# Check if ovftool is installed
if command -v ovftool &>/dev/null; then
  echo "ovftool found, removing..."
  brew uninstall vmware-ovftool # Use brew if it was installed that way. Adjust as needed for other package managers
else
  echo "ovftool not found."
fi

5. Verification / Validation

Confirm the removal of the tool by running a command to display its version. A negative test involves attempting to run the tool and verifying it is no longer available.

• Post-fix check: Run which ovftool in the terminal. The output should not show any path to the executable.
• Re-test: Re-run the quick check from section 3 (which ovftool) to confirm it is no longer installed.
• Smoke test: Verify that other virtual machine management tools are still functioning as expected.
• Monitoring: Monitor system logs for any errors related to missing OVF template support, which could indicate a dependency issue. This is an example only.

which ovftool # Should return nothing

6. Preventive Measures and Monitoring

Regular software inventory checks and baseline configurations are relevant preventive measures.

• Baselines: Update your security baseline to include a list of approved software, excluding unnecessary tools like VMware OVF Tool if they aren’t required.
• Pipelines: Implement software composition analysis (SCA) in your CI/CD pipeline to identify and flag unwanted or vulnerable components.
• Asset and patch process: Review installed software regularly as part of a vulnerability management program.

7. Risks, Side Effects, and Roll Back

Removing the tool may disrupt workflows that rely on it. Reinstalling the tool from official sources is the roll back plan.

• Risk or side effect 1: Removing the tool could break existing virtual machine import/export processes if they depend on it.
• Risk or side effect 2: None known.
• Roll back:
  1. Step 1: Reinstall VMware OVF Tool from the official VMware website or using your package manager (e.g., brew install vmware-ovftool).

8. References and Resources

• Vendor advisory or bulletin: https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/1025984
• NVD or CVE entry: Not applicable as this is not a specific vulnerability but the presence of a tool.
• Product or platform documentation relevant to the fix: https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-OVF-Tool/index.html