Fastest workaround instructions to address CVE-2021-44228 (log4j) in vCenter Server

https://logging.apache.org/log4j/2.x/

Apache Log4j open source component has security bug (CVE-2021-44228 – VMSA-2021-0028). It is neccesary to fix vCenter Server 7.0.x, vCenter 6.7.x & vCenter 6.5.x.

Fastest and recommended is workaround with KB 87081 script (vc_log4j_mitigator.py).

Run ssh and create script via vim
Connected to service

    * List APIs: "help api list"
    * List Plugins: "help pi list"
    * Launch BASH: "shell"

Command> shell
Shell access is granted to root
root@localhost [ ~ ]# cd /tmp
root@localhost [ /tmp ]# vim vc_log4j_mitigator.py
Run script python vc_log4j_mitigator.py 
root@localhost [ /tmp ]# python vc_log4j_mitigator.py
2021-12-21T10:38:20 INFO main: Script version: 1.6.0
2021-12-21T10:38:20 INFO main: vCenter type: Version: 7.0.2.00500; Build: 18455184; Deployment type: embedded; Gateway: False; VCHA: False; Windows: False;
A service stop and start is required to complete this operation.  Continue?[y]y
2021-12-21T10:38:23 INFO stop: stopping services
2021-12-21T10:38:46 INFO process_jar: Found a VULNERABLE FILE: /opt/vmware/lib64/log4j-core-2.13.0.jar
2021-12-21T10:38:46 INFO backup_file: VULNERABLE FILE: /opt/vmware/lib64/log4j-core-2.13.0.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/opt/vmware/lib64/log4j-core-2.13.0.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:38:47 INFO process_jar: VULNERABLE FILE: /opt/vmware/lib64/log4j-core-2.13.0.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/opt/vmware/lib64/log4j-core-2.13.0.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:03 INFO process_jar: Found a VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar
2021-12-21T10:39:03 INFO backup_file: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:04 INFO process_jar: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:04 INFO process_jar: Found a VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.8.2.jar
2021-12-21T10:39:04 INFO backup_file: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.8.2.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.8.2.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:04 INFO process_jar: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.8.2.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.8.2.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:06 INFO process_jar: Found a VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.11.0.jar
2021-12-21T10:39:06 INFO backup_file: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.11.0.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.11.0.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:06 INFO process_jar: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.11.0.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.11.0.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:07 INFO process_jar: Found a VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.11.2.jar
2021-12-21T10:39:07 INFO backup_file: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.11.2.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.11.2.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:07 INFO process_jar: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.11.2.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.11.2.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:08 INFO process_jar: Found a VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware/cis_upgrade_runner/payload/component-scripts/sso/lstool/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar
2021-12-21T10:39:08 INFO backup_file: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware/cis_upgrade_runner/payload/component-scripts/sso/lstool/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware/cis_upgrade_runner/payload/component-scripts/sso/lstool/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:08 INFO process_jar: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware/cis_upgrade_runner/payload/component-scripts/sso/lstool/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware/cis_upgrade_runner/payload/component-scripts/sso/lstool/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:14 INFO process_jar: Found a VULNERABLE FILE: /tmp/tmpn2a_0ql2/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.3.jar
2021-12-21T10:39:14 INFO backup_file: VULNERABLE FILE: /tmp/tmpn2a_0ql2/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.3.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/tmp/tmpn2a_0ql2/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.3.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:15 INFO process_war: Found a VULNERABLE WAR file with: /usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/jetty/webapps/vum-fileupload.war
2021-12-21T10:39:15 INFO backup_file: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/jetty/webapps/vum-fileupload.war backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/jetty/webapps/vum-fileupload.war.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:15 INFO process_war: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/jetty/webapps/vum-fileupload.war backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/jetty/webapps/vum-fileupload.war.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:15 INFO process_jar: Found a VULNERABLE FILE: /tmp/tmpxn5_4ah_/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.3.jar
2021-12-21T10:39:15 INFO backup_file: VULNERABLE FILE: /tmp/tmpxn5_4ah_/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.3.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/tmp/tmpxn5_4ah_/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.3.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:16 INFO process_war: Found a VULNERABLE WAR file with: /usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/jetty/webapps/root.war
2021-12-21T10:39:16 INFO backup_file: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/jetty/webapps/root.war backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/jetty/webapps/root.war.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:16 INFO process_war: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/jetty/webapps/root.war backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/jetty/webapps/root.war.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:16 INFO process_jar: Found a VULNERABLE FILE: /tmp/tmpa4w275ot/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.3.jar
2021-12-21T10:39:16 INFO backup_file: VULNERABLE FILE: /tmp/tmpa4w275ot/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.3.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/tmp/tmpa4w275ot/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.3.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:17 INFO process_war: Found a VULNERABLE WAR file with: /usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/jetty/webapps/vum-filedownload.war
2021-12-21T10:39:17 INFO backup_file: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/jetty/webapps/vum-filedownload.war backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/jetty/webapps/vum-filedownload.war.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:18 INFO process_war: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/jetty/webapps/vum-filedownload.war backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/jetty/webapps/vum-filedownload.war.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:21 INFO process_jar: Found a VULNERABLE FILE: /tmp/tmpxv_znca3/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar
2021-12-21T10:39:21 INFO backup_file: VULNERABLE FILE: /tmp/tmpxv_znca3/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/tmp/tmpxv_znca3/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:22 INFO process_war: Found a VULNERABLE WAR file with: /usr/lib/vmware-sso/vmware-sts/webapps/ROOT.war
2021-12-21T10:39:22 INFO backup_file: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-sso/vmware-sts/webapps/ROOT.war backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware-sso/vmware-sts/webapps/ROOT.war.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:24 INFO process_war: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-sso/vmware-sts/webapps/ROOT.war backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware-sso/vmware-sts/webapps/ROOT.war.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:25 INFO process_jar: Found a VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-sso/vmware-sts/webapps/ROOT/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar
2021-12-21T10:39:25 INFO backup_file: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-sso/vmware-sts/webapps/ROOT/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware-sso/vmware-sts/webapps/ROOT/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:26 INFO process_jar: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-sso/vmware-sts/webapps/ROOT/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware-sso/vmware-sts/webapps/ROOT/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:28 INFO process_jar: Found a VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-dbcc/lib/log4j-core-2.8.2.jar
2021-12-21T10:39:28 INFO backup_file: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-dbcc/lib/log4j-core-2.8.2.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware-dbcc/lib/log4j-core-2.8.2.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:29 INFO process_jar: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-dbcc/lib/log4j-core-2.8.2.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware-dbcc/lib/log4j-core-2.8.2.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:32 INFO process_jar: Found a VULNERABLE FILE: /tmp/tmprq0yfnd1/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar
2021-12-21T10:39:32 INFO backup_file: VULNERABLE FILE: /tmp/tmprq0yfnd1/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/tmp/tmprq0yfnd1/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:33 INFO process_war: Found a VULNERABLE WAR file with: /usr/lib/vmware-lookupsvc/webapps/ROOT.war
2021-12-21T10:39:33 INFO backup_file: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-lookupsvc/webapps/ROOT.war backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware-lookupsvc/webapps/ROOT.war.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:34 INFO process_war: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-lookupsvc/webapps/ROOT.war backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware-lookupsvc/webapps/ROOT.war.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:34 INFO process_jar: Found a VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-lookupsvc/webapps/ROOT/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar
2021-12-21T10:39:35 INFO backup_file: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-lookupsvc/webapps/ROOT/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware-lookupsvc/webapps/ROOT/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:35 INFO process_jar: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-lookupsvc/webapps/ROOT/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware-lookupsvc/webapps/ROOT/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:37 INFO _patch_file: Found VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-vmon/java-wrapper-vmon
2021-12-21T10:39:37 INFO backup_file: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-vmon/java-wrapper-vmon backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware-vmon/java-wrapper-vmon.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:37 INFO patch_vum: Found a VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/jetty/start.ini
2021-12-21T10:39:37 INFO backup_file: VULNERABLE FILE: /usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/jetty/start.ini backed up to /tmp/tmpxi89fco8/usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/jetty/start.ini.bak
2021-12-21T10:39:37 INFO print_summary:
=====     Summary     =====
Backup Directory: /tmp/tmpxi89fco8
List of processed java archive files:

/opt/vmware/lib64/log4j-core-2.13.0.jar
/usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar
/usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.8.2.jar
/usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.11.0.jar
/usr/lib/vmware/common-jars/log4j-core-2.11.2.jar
/usr/lib/vmware/cis_upgrade_runner/payload/component-scripts/sso/lstool/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar
/usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/jetty/webapps/vum-fileupload.war
/usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/jetty/webapps/root.war
/usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/jetty/webapps/vum-filedownload.war
/usr/lib/vmware-sso/vmware-sts/webapps/ROOT.war
/usr/lib/vmware-sso/vmware-sts/webapps/ROOT/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar
/usr/lib/vmware-dbcc/lib/log4j-core-2.8.2.jar
/usr/lib/vmware-lookupsvc/webapps/ROOT.war
/usr/lib/vmware-lookupsvc/webapps/ROOT/WEB-INF/lib/log4j-core-2.13.1.jar

List of processed configuration files:

/usr/lib/vmware-vmon/java-wrapper-vmon
/usr/lib/vmware-updatemgr/bin/jetty/start.ini

Total fixed: 16

    NOTE: Running this script again with the --dryrun
    flag should now yield 0 vulnerable files.

Log file: /var/log/vmsa-2021-0028_2021_12_21_10_38_20.log
===========================
2021-12-21T10:39:37 INFO start: starting services
2021-12-21T10:52:47 INFO main: Done.
Verify python vc_log4j_mitigator.py -r
root@localhost [ /tmp ]# python vc_log4j_mitigator.py -r
2021-12-21T11:10:01 INFO main: Script version: 1.6.0
2021-12-21T11:10:01 INFO main: vCenter type: Version: 7.0.2.00500; Build: 18455184; Deployment type: embedded; Gateway: False; VCHA: False; Windows: False;
2021-12-21T11:10:01 INFO main: Running in dryrun mode.
2021-12-21T11:11:01 INFO print_summary:
=====     Summary     =====

No vulnerable files found!

Total found: 0
Log file: /var/log/vmsa-2021-0028_2021_12_21_11_10_01.log
===========================
2021-12-21T11:11:01 INFO main: Done.

vc_log4j_mitigator.py [-h] – helps and more options

root@localhost [ /tmp ]# python vc_log4j_mitigator.py -h
usage: vc_log4j_mitigator.py [-h] [-d dirnames [dirnames ...]] [-a] [-r] [-b BACKUP_DIR] [-l LOG_DIR]

VMSA-2021-0028 vCenter tool; Version: 1.6.0 This tool deletes the JndiLookup.class file from *.jar and *.war files. On Windows systems the tool will by default traverse the folders identified by the VMWARE_CIS_HOME, VMWARE_CFG_DIR, VMWARE_DATA_DIR and VMWARE_RUNTIME_DATA_DIR
variables. On vCenter Appliances the tool will search by default from the root of the filesystem. All modified files are backed up if the process needs to be reversed due to an error.

optional arguments:
  -h, --help            show this help message and exit
  -d dirnames [dirnames ...], --directories dirnames [dirnames ...]
                        space separated list of directories to check recursively for CVE-2021-44228 vulnerable java archive files.
  -a, --accept-services-restart
                        accept the restart of the services without having manual prompt confirmation for the same
  -r, --dryrun          Run the script and log vulnerable files without mitigating them. The vCenter services are not restarted with this option.
  -b BACKUP_DIR, --backup-dir BACKUP_DIR
                        Specify a backup directory to store original files.
  -l LOG_DIR, --log-dir LOG_DIR
                        Specify a directory to store log files.

Links:

Author: Daniel Micanek

Senior Service Architect, SAP Platform Services Team at Tietoevry | SUSE SCA | vExpert ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | vExpert NSX | VCIX-DCV/NV | VCAP-DCV/NV Design+Deploy | VCP-DCV/NV/CMA/TKO/DTM | NCIE-DP | OCP | Azure Solutions Architect | Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)