CVE-2003-0631 in Workstation
Summary
by MITRE
VMware GSX Server 2.5.1 build 4968 and earlier, and Workstation 4.0 and earlier, allows local users to gain root privileges via certain enivronment variables that are used when launching a virtual machine session.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2019
This vulnerability exists in VMware GSX Server 2.5.1 build 4968 and earlier versions as well as VMware Workstation 4.0 and earlier releases, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that affects virtual machine execution environments. The issue stems from improper handling of environment variables during virtual machine session initialization, where specific environmental parameters are not adequately sanitized or validated before being processed by the underlying system components. This flaw allows local attackers with basic user privileges to manipulate these environment variables in a manner that ultimately results in elevated privileges, potentially achieving root access within the virtualized environment. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic security weakness in software design where user-controlled inputs are directly incorporated into system operations without proper validation or privilege checks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of environment variable processing within VMware's virtual machine launch mechanism. When a virtual machine session is initiated, the system reads certain environment variables that are intended to configure the virtual environment or specify paths and parameters for the virtual machine execution. However, the vulnerable code does not properly validate or sanitize these variables, allowing an attacker to inject malicious values that can influence the execution flow. The flaw specifically relates to how these variables are processed during the virtual machine startup sequence, where the system may execute commands or load libraries based on the values provided in these environment parameters. This represents a violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate input validation practices that are commonly associated with privilege escalation vulnerabilities.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant security risks to organizations relying on VMware virtualization platforms, particularly in environments where multiple users share the same physical host systems. The ability to escalate from a regular user account to root privileges within a virtualized environment means that attackers can potentially gain complete control over the host system and all virtual machines running on it. This vulnerability can be exploited in scenarios where users have legitimate access to the virtualization platform but should not possess administrative privileges, creating a serious compromise in the security model of the virtualized infrastructure. The impact extends beyond individual virtual machines to potentially affect the entire virtualization ecosystem, as root access in one virtual machine could enable lateral movement and further compromise of other systems within the network.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-255, which addresses issues related to credentials management and privilege escalation, and also relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation." Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of VMware GSX Server and Workstation, applying the vendor-provided security patches, and implementing strict access controls and monitoring for environment variable usage. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing process monitoring and privilege separation measures to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The remediation approach should include comprehensive security testing of virtualization environments and regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the virtual infrastructure stack.