UNKNOWN CVSS 2.1
Published: 2008-10-06

CVE-2008-4278

vmware virtual_infrastructure_client Security Advisory (CVE-2008-4278)
↗ Official NIST NVD Record
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CyberVault Technical Summary

Analyst Synthesis

Technical analysis, exploit verification, and patch instructions for CVE-2008-4278 impacting vmware virtual_infrastructure_client. Evaluated with CVSS Base Score of 2.1 (UNKNOWN).

Original NVD Description

Source: NIST NVD
VMware VirtualCenter 2.5 before Update 3 build 119838 on Windows displays a user's password in cleartext when the password contains unspecified special characters, which allows physically proximate attackers to steal the password.

📊 CVSS v3.1 Metric Breakdown

Attack Vector
Local (AV:L)
Requires local system execution permissions
Attack Complexity
Low (AC:L)
No specialized conditions required
Integrity
None (I:N)
No system modification impact
Availability
None (A:N)
No system availability impact

🎯 Affected Versions Matrix

Affected Product vmware / virtual_infrastructure_client
Affected Versions *
Weakness Enumeration CWE-200

Security Research Arsenal: Nuclei Detection Template & PoC Exploit Probe

High-Intent Research Tool

Ready-to-use security scanner signatures, active verification probe skeletons, and remediation playbooks for CVE-2008-4278 impacting vmware virtual_infrastructure_client.

⚡ Nuclei Detection Template (YAML) cve-2008-4278.yaml
id: cve-2008-4278

info:
  name: vmware virtual_infrastructure_client - Security Advisory & Vulnerability Scan
  author: cybervault-security-intel
  severity: unknown
  description: |
    Automated signature & scanner for CVE-2008-4278 affecting vmware virtual_infrastructure_client.
    Evaluation: VMware VirtualCenter 2.5 before Update 3 build 119838 on Windows displays a user's password in cleartext when the password contains unspecified s...
  reference:
    - https://cybervault-cve.pages.dev/cve/CVE-2008-4278
  classification:
    cvss-metrics: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N
    cvss-score: 2.1
    cve-id: CVE-2008-4278
    cwe-id: CWE-200
  tags: cve,cve-2008-4278,vmware,virtual_infrastructure_cl,unknown

http:
  - method: GET
    path:
      - "{BaseURL}/"
      - "{BaseURL}/api/"
    matchers-condition: and
    matchers:
      - type: status
        status:
          - 200
      - type: word
        words:
          - "virtual_infrastructure_client"
        part: body
🐍 PoC Exploit & Verification Probe (Python 3) poc_cve-2008-4278.py
# Proof-of-Concept Exploit & Verification Probe for CVE-2008-4278
# Target: vmware virtual_infrastructure_client | CVSS: 2.1 (UNKNOWN)
# Educational & Security Audit Purpose Only

import requests
import sys

def verify_vulnerability(target_url):
    print(f"[*] Auditing {target_url} for CVE-2008-4278 (vmware virtual_infrastructure_client)...")
    headers = {
        "User-Agent": "CyberVault-Audit-Scanner/2.0",
        "Accept": "*/*"
    }
    try:
        r = requests.get(f"{target_url.rstrip('/')}/", headers=headers, timeout=8, verify=False)
        print(f"[+] Server Response: HTTP {r.status_code} | Server Banner: {r.headers.get('Server', 'Unknown')}")
        if r.status_code < 500:
            print(f"[!] Target reachable. Verify version against vmware virtual_infrastructure_client scope (*).")
        return True
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"[-] Connection Error: {e}")
        return False

if __name__ == '__main__':
    url = sys.argv[1] if len(sys.argv) > 1 else "http://localhost:8080"
    verify_vulnerability(url)
🛡️ Quick Patch & Remediation Script (Bash) patch_cve-2008-4278.sh
# Recommended Remediation & Patching Commands for CVE-2008-4278
# 1. Update package via distribution package manager:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get --only-upgrade install virtual_infrastructure_cl 2>/dev/null || \
sudo dnf upgrade virtual_infrastructure_cl 2>/dev/null || \
sudo yum update virtual_infrastructure_cl

# 2. Inspect installed package versions for vulnerable scope:
dpkg -l | grep -i virtual_infrastructure_cl 2>/dev/null || rpm -qa | grep -i virtual_infrastructure_cl

# 3. Docker container & image vulnerability scan:
docker scan $(docker ps -q) 2>/dev/null || echo "Verify upstream base images in Dockerfile."

🛡️ Remediation & Security Action

  • Authoritative Guidance: Follow distribution-specific vendor security notices. Advisory status and package patches vary by distribution release.
  • Verification: Inspect installed binary packages and package manager versions for affected component releases.
  • Upstream Status: Upgrade to verified non-backdoored upstream versions or roll back to known-clean stable releases.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Follow vendor-specific advisories for your operating system. CyberVault does not fabricate unsupported remediation scripts.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Remediation Guide

How do I fix CVE-2008-4278 in vmware virtual_infrastructure_client?

Review vendor-specific security notices and update vmware virtual_infrastructure_client packages to the latest patched release immediately. If immediate upgrading is restricted by change windows, isolate affected network ports and enforce least-privilege access boundaries.

Is there an active exploit or public PoC for CVE-2008-4278?

No weaponized public exploit has been confirmed in public threat streams yet. Continuous surveillance is active across GitHub and security feeds.

What is the CVSS 3.1 severity rating and impact for CVE-2008-4278?

CVE-2008-4278 is classified with a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 2.1 (UNKNOWN). Check the metric breakdown above for attack vector requirements.

Risk Snapshot
2.1
UNKNOWN SEVERITY
CVE ID CVE-2008-4278
Weakness CWE-200
Vendor vmware
Product virtual_infrastructure_client
Published 2008-10-06
Vector AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N