# CVE-2010-4573: Auth bypass in n/a

> Remote attackers can bypass authentication in VMware ESXi Update Installer if a modified configuration file is present, gaining unauthorized access.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.3 (`AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 22 Dec 2010
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-76jq-8wqx-96ch

## What is CVE-2010-4573?

CVE-2010-4573 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Vmware Esxi, published on 22 Dec 2010. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

The Update Installer in VMware ESXi 4.1, when a modified sfcb.cfg is present, does not properly configure the SFCB authentication mode, which allows remote attackers to obtain access via an arbitrary username and password.

Weakness: CWE-287 (Improper Authentication)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2010-4573?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Vmware Esxi.

## How do I fix CVE-2010-4573?

No fix has been published for CVE-2010-4573 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2010-4573 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2010-4573 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Vmware Esxi

- [CVE-2026-41709](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-41709/): Broadcom VMWare ESX Insufficient Logging (low 2.7, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2019-5521](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-5521/): Information disclosure in VMware ESXi (critical 9.6)
- [CVE-2024-22252](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-22252/): Use-after-free vulnerability (critical 9.3)
- [CVE-2020-3955](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-3955/): Cross-site scripting in ESXi (critical 9.3)
- [CVE-2019-5527](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-5527/): Use after free in ESXi, Workstation, Fusion, VMRC and Horizon Client (high 8.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2010-4573 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2010-4573 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Vmware Esxi, published on 22 Dec 2010. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2010-4573 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Vmware Esxi. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2010-4573/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2010-4573/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2010-4573
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2010-4573
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2010-4573

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2010-4573/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.