AusCERT - AU-2008.0018 -- AusCERT Update - [VMware ESX] - VMware ESX/ESXi 3.5 Update 2 patch causing error

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AU-2008.0018 -- AusCERT Update - [VMware ESX] - VMware ESX/ESXi 3.5 Update 2 patch causing error
Date: 14 August 2008
References: ESB-2008.0747

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AusCERT Update AU-2008.0018 - [VMware ESX]
VMware ESX/ESXi 3.5 Update 2 patch causing error
14 August 2008        AusCERT Update Summary
        ----------------------

Operating System:     VMWare ESX Server
                      VMWare ESXi Server
Impact:               Denial of Service

Ref:                  ESB-2008.0747

Original Bulletin:    http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/prg/em/ccirc/2008/av08-065-eng.aspx

Revision History:     May 10 2012: Corrected details
                      August 14 2008: Initial Release

- --------------------------BEGIN INCLUDED TEXT--------------------

VMware ESX/ESXi 3.5 Update 2 patch causing error

   Number: AV08-065
   Date: 13 August 2008 

Purpose

   An issue has been discovered with VMware ESX/ESXi 3.5 Update 2 where
   Virtual Machines fail to power on or VMotion successfully. This
   problem began to occur on August 12, 2008 for clients that had
   upgraded to ESX 3.5 Update 2.

Assessment

   The following message is displayed in the vmware.log file for the
   virtual machine:


   This product has expired. Be sure that your host machine's date and
   time are set correctly.
   There is a more recent version available at the VMware web site:
   http://www.vmware.com/info?id=4.
   ##############################
   Module License Power on failed.

   The following error may display when attempting to deploy virtual
   machines:

   A general system error occurred: Internal Error
   Type: ERROR
   Module: PendingOperation
   Thread: PendingOperation-/[path]

   Affected Products:

   VMware ESX 3.5 Update 2 & ESXi 3.5 Update 2.
   The problem will be seen if ESX350-200806201-UG is applied to a
   system.
   No other VMware products are affected.

Suggested action

   CCIRC recommends the following action(s):

   Workaround 1:
   Do not install ESX 3.5 U2 if it has been downloaded from VMware?s
   website or elsewhere prior to August 12, 2008.

   Workaround 2:
   Set the host time to a date prior to August 12, 2008. This workaround
   has a number of very serious side affects that could impact production
   environments. Any Virtual Machines that sync time with the ESX host
   and serve time sensitive applications would be broken. These include,
   but are not limited to database servers, mail servers, and domain
   administration systems.
   Resolution:
   VMware Engineering has produced express patches for impacted clients
   that will resolve the issue. If running the affected versions as
   mentioned above please download the relevant patch from following
   link:
   - For ESX 3.5 Update 2 Express patch:
   http://download3.vmware.com/software/esx/ESX350-200806812-BG.zip
   - For ESXi 3.5 Update 2 Express patch:
   http://download3.vmware.com/software/esx/ESXe350-200807812-O-BG.zip

   REFERENCES:
   -----------
   http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1006716

Note to Readers

   Public Safety Canada (PS) collects information related to cyber and
   physical threats to, and incidents involving, Canadian critical
   infrastructure. This allows us to monitor and analyze threats and to
   issue alerts, advisories, and other information products.

   The Government Operations Centre (GOC) provides strategic level
   coordination and direction on behalf of the Government of Canada, in
   response to emerging or occurring events in the national interest,
   including threats to and incidents involving Canadian critical
   infrastructure. The GOC receives, shares, and coordinates information
   with other federal departments, as well as provincial/territorial and
   international partners.

- --------------------------END INCLUDED TEXT--------------------

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        http://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?cid=1980

If you believe that your computer system has been compromised or attacked in 
any way, we encourage you to let us know by completing the secure National IT 
Incident Reporting Form at:

        http://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?it=3192

===========================================================================
Australian Computer Emergency Response Team
The University of Queensland
Brisbane
Qld 4072

Internet Email: auscert@auscert.org.au
Facsimile:      (07) 3365 7031
Telephone:      (07) 3365 4417 (International: +61 7 3365 4417)
                AusCERT personnel answer during Queensland business hours
                which are GMT+10:00 (AEST).
                On call after hours for member emergencies only.
===========================================================================

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