CVE-2007-1270 in ESX Server
Summary
by MITRE
Double free vulnerability in VMware ESX Server 3.0.0 and 3.0.1 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (crash), obtain sensitive information, or possibly execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1270 represents a critical double free condition within VMware ESX Server versions 3.0.0 and 3.0.1 that exposes systems to multiple attack vectors including denial of service, information disclosure, and potential remote code execution. This flaw exists in the memory management subsystem of the hypervisor, where improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation routines creates opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate the system's memory state. The double free vulnerability occurs when a program attempts to free the same memory block twice, which can lead to corruption of the heap structure and unpredictable behavior in the affected system. According to CWE-415, this classification specifically addresses the scenario where a program frees the same memory block twice, potentially leading to memory corruption that adversaries can exploit for privilege escalation or system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management checks within VMware's virtualization layer. Attackers can leverage this weakness through unspecified vectors that likely involve crafted input or specific sequences of operations that trigger the problematic memory handling code path. When the vulnerable system processes these malicious inputs, the double free condition manifests, causing the hypervisor to crash or behave unpredictably. The operational impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the memory corruption can potentially expose sensitive data structures or allow attackers to manipulate the heap in ways that facilitate code execution. The vulnerability affects the core virtualization infrastructure, meaning that successful exploitation could compromise multiple virtual machines running on the affected ESX host.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where an attacker might leverage the system instability to execute malicious code through compromised virtual environments. Organizations running VMware ESX Server 3.0.0 and 3.0.1 are particularly at risk since these versions lack proper memory validation mechanisms that would prevent the double free condition from occurring. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the hypervisor's resource management that could be exploited by attackers with minimal privileges to cause system-wide disruption. This type of vulnerability is especially concerning in enterprise environments where virtualization platforms serve as critical infrastructure components, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise and data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1270 require immediate patching of VMware ESX Server installations to versions that address the memory management flaw. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring to detect unusual system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability can manifest through various attack vectors. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit potential attack surface, while regular security assessments should verify that all virtualization components are properly updated. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date virtualization infrastructure and implementing robust memory management practices in hypervisor environments. System administrators should also consider implementing additional layers of security such as intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and ensure that all virtual machines are protected through proper isolation mechanisms.