VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion contain a use-after-free vulnerability in the XHCI USB controller. This vulnerability allows a malicious actor with local administrative privileges on a virtual machine to exploit this issue and execute code as the virtual machine's VMX process running on the host. The severity of this vulnerability is classified as medium, with a CVSS score of 6.7.
The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to significant risks for organizations, as it compromises the integrity and confidentiality of data on virtual machines. Given the potential for exploitation, it is vital for organizations to address this vulnerability promptly.
Currently, there are no known public exploits available for this vulnerability, and it has not been included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, organizations should remain vigilant as the threat landscape evolves.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability. Failure to do so could result in unauthorized access and potential data breaches.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of the vulnerability states: 'VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion contain a use-after-free vulnerability in the XHCI USB controller. A malicious actor with local administrative privileges on a virtual machine may exploit this issue to execute code as the virtual machine's VMX process running on the host.'
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-416, which pertains to use-after-free issues. The vulnerability affects multiple VMware products, including ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion, across various versions.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper handling of memory within the XHCI USB controller, leading to a use-after-free condition. The attack vector is local, meaning that an attacker must have direct access to the vulnerable virtual machine. The attack complexity is low, and high privileges are required for exploitation, specifically local administrative privileges.
User interaction is not required for this vulnerability to be exploited. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, indicating that successful exploitation could compromise all three aspects.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized code execution, leading to data breaches and loss of sensitive information stored within virtual machines. The blast radius for this vulnerability is significant, as it affects multiple VMware products and could lead to a widespread impact across virtualized environments.
Given the medium severity of this vulnerability, organizations should address it in their priority patch cycle. Timely remediation is essential to mitigate any potential risks associated with exploitation.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects the following versions of VMware products: Cloud Foundation (3.0 to 3.11), Fusion (12.0.0 to 12.2.1), Workstation Player (16.0.0 to 16.2.1), Workstation Pro (16.0.0 to 16.2.1), and ESXi (6.5 and 6.7). All versions prior to vendor patch are affected.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the necessary patches provided by VMware to remediate this vulnerability. For detailed guidance on patching, refer to VMware's advisory. If immediate patching is not possible, consider implementing workarounds such as restricting access to the affected systems and monitoring for suspicious activities.
For continuous security testing, organizations may validate remediation through continuous penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any anomalous behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. Indicators of compromise may include unusual VMX process activity or unauthorized access to virtual machines.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability emphasizes the need for robust security practices within virtualized environments. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial for security teams to adopt proactive measures and stay informed about potential vulnerabilities.
This vulnerability represents a trend of increasing complexity in exploitation techniques, highlighting the importance of continuous security assessments.
For further reading on vulnerability management, organizations can refer to the following resources: vulnerability management program and penetration testing methodology to enhance security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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