CVE-2007-4058 in VMware
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in a certain ActiveX control in vielib.dll 2.2.5.42958 in EMC VMware 6.0.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary local programs via a full pathname in the first argument to the StartProcess method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-4058 represents a critical security flaw in the EMC VMware 6.0.0 ActiveX control implementation within the vielib.dll library version 2.2.5.42958. This issue manifests as an absolute path traversal vulnerability that fundamentally compromises the security boundaries of the affected system. The vulnerability resides in the StartProcess method of the ActiveX control, where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input parameters before executing system commands. This flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the execution flow of the system by providing a full pathname as the first argument to the StartProcess method, effectively bypassing normal security restrictions that should prevent arbitrary code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses path traversal flaws in software systems. The vulnerability exploits the lack of proper input validation mechanisms within the ActiveX control, allowing attackers to specify absolute paths that point to arbitrary executable files on the target system. When the StartProcess method processes these maliciously crafted paths, it executes the specified programs with the privileges of the user running the affected application, typically resulting in elevated privilege execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of privilege escalation attacks and represents a significant vector for remote code execution in environments where ActiveX controls are enabled and trusted.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-4058 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious programs that may include malware, backdoors, or other malicious payloads designed to establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability affects environments where VMware 6.0.0 is deployed with ActiveX controls enabled, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise settings where such controls might be trusted by default. This flaw can be exploited through web-based attack vectors, as ActiveX controls are commonly loaded through web browsers, allowing attackers to deliver malicious payloads via compromised websites or phishing campaigns.
From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to techniques involving privilege escalation and execution of malicious code through trusted system components. The attack chain typically begins with reconnaissance to identify systems running vulnerable VMware versions, followed by exploitation of the ActiveX control through crafted web content. The vulnerability demonstrates how legacy ActiveX controls can pose significant security risks in modern environments, particularly when they lack proper input validation and security hardening. Organizations using affected versions of VMware should consider immediate mitigation strategies including disabling ActiveX controls, applying security patches, or implementing network-level restrictions to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. The flaw also highlights the importance of proper security testing and validation of third-party components before deployment in production environments, as ActiveX controls often execute with elevated privileges and can bypass standard operating system security mechanisms.