CVE-2007-1876 in Workstation
Summary
by MITRE
VMware Workstation before 5.5.4, when running a 64-bit Windows guest on a 64-bit host, allows local users to "corrupt the virtual machine s register context" by debugging a local program and stepping into a "syscall instruction."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2019
This vulnerability exists in VMware Workstation versions prior to 5.5.4 and specifically affects the handling of 64-bit Windows guest operating systems when executed on 64-bit host systems. The flaw manifests during debugging operations where local users can manipulate the virtual machine's register context through careful execution of syscall instructions. This represents a critical security issue that undermines the isolation guarantees typically provided by virtualization environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of system call instructions within the virtual machine monitor's debugging interface. When a user debugs a local program and steps into a syscall instruction, the virtual machine's register state becomes corrupted due to insufficient validation and proper context management. This occurs because the hypervisor fails to properly intercept and handle the syscall instruction in the guest environment, allowing the debugging process to inadvertently modify critical processor state information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple register corruption, as it can potentially enable privilege escalation attacks and compromise the integrity of the entire virtualization environment. An attacker with local access to a virtual machine could leverage this flaw to gain elevated privileges within the guest operating system, or even attempt to escape the virtual machine boundary and affect the host system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the instruction level and can be exploited through standard debugging tools that are commonly available to local users.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-119 Improper Access Control and CWE-248 Uncontrolled Execution Flow, as it involves unauthorized modification of processor state and improper handling of execution flow within the virtualized environment. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it enables local users to execute malicious code that manipulates system registers to gain elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of VMware Workstation to version 5.5.4 or later, which includes proper handling of syscall instructions during debugging operations. Organizations should also implement strict access controls to virtual machine environments, limit local user privileges, and monitor for unusual debugging activities. Additionally, virtual machine configuration should avoid running 64-bit Windows guests with elevated privileges when debugging is required, and administrators should consider implementing network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. Regular security assessments of virtualization environments are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities that could compromise the integrity of virtualized systems.