CVE-2007-4059 in Workstation
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in a certain ActiveX control in IntraProcessLogging.dll 5.5.3.42958 in EMC VMware allows remote attackers to create or overwrite arbitrary files via a full pathname in the argument to the SetLogFileName method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2024
The CVE-2007-4059 vulnerability represents a critical absolute path traversal flaw within the IntraProcessLogging.dll ActiveX control component of EMC VMware products. This vulnerability specifically affects version 5.5.3.42958 and exposes systems to remote exploitation through improper input validation mechanisms. The flaw resides in the SetLogFileName method which accepts user-supplied arguments without adequate sanitization, allowing attackers to manipulate file system paths and gain unauthorized access to critical system resources. The vulnerability operates by leveraging the trust placed in the ActiveX control's logging functionality, where legitimate path traversal capabilities are exposed to malicious actors through crafted input parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of file path arguments within the ActiveX control's interface. When the SetLogFileName method processes input parameters, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the provided full pathnames, enabling attackers to specify arbitrary file locations within the system's file hierarchy. This weakness creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate the logging system's behavior, potentially allowing them to create new files in sensitive directories or overwrite existing critical system files. The vulnerability falls under the category of path traversal attacks and aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file manipulation capabilities, as it provides attackers with persistent access to system resources and potentially enables more sophisticated attack vectors. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, modify critical system files, or create malicious log entries that could be used to evade detection or further compromise the system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where VMware products are commonly deployed, as it can be exploited from external networks without requiring local system access. Attackers can potentially use this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive log data, modify system configurations, or even escalate privileges within the compromised environment.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability. The primary mitigation strategy involves applying the latest security patches provided by EMC VMware, as these updates typically include proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms for the affected ActiveX control. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted networks, while regular monitoring of log files can help detect suspicious file creation or modification activities. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies and disabling unnecessary ActiveX controls can significantly reduce the attack surface. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms, while the exploitation aligns with initial access and execution phases of the attack lifecycle. Organizations should also consider implementing host-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for anomalous file system activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.