CVE-2008-2100 in Workstation
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in VIX API 1.1.x before 1.1.4 build 93057 on VMware Workstation 5.x and 6.x, VMware Player 1.x and 2.x, VMware ACE 2.x, VMware Server 1.x, VMware Fusion 1.x, VMware ESXi 3.5, and VMware ESX 3.0.1 through 3.5 allow guest OS users to execute arbitrary code on the host OS via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2100 represents a critical buffer overflow issue affecting multiple VMware virtualization products including VMware Workstation 5.x and 6.x, VMware Player 1.x and 2.x, VMware ACE 2.x, VMware Server 1.x, VMware Fusion 1.x, VMware ESXi 3.5, and VMware ESX 3.0.1 through 3.5. This flaw exists within the VIX API version 1.1.x prior to build 93057 and creates a significant security risk by allowing guest operating system users to execute arbitrary code on the host system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the virtualization layer, specifically affecting the VIX API which is used for remote management and automation of virtual machines. The issue manifests through unspecified vectors that could include malformed input data, crafted API calls, or malicious guest-to-host communication sequences that bypass normal security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow condition where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory buffers in the host system. This type of flaw falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-122 for heap-based buffer overflows that may also be present in the VIX API implementation. The vulnerability operates at the hypervisor level where guest operating systems can leverage the buffer overflow to gain elevated privileges on the host system, effectively breaking the isolation boundaries that virtualization platforms are designed to maintain. The attack vector involves guest users executing code that exploits memory corruption vulnerabilities within the VIX API functions, which then allows for privilege escalation from guest user level to host system level.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-2100 is severe and far-reaching across enterprise virtualization environments, as it enables complete compromise of host systems from within guest environments. This vulnerability creates a critical escalation path that allows attackers to bypass traditional security controls that separate guest and host systems, potentially leading to complete data breaches, system compromise, and lateral movement within virtualized infrastructures. The vulnerability affects a wide range of VMware products spanning desktop virtualization, server virtualization, and enterprise hypervisors, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that utilize multiple VMware platforms. Organizations using affected versions face the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive host resources, potential data exfiltration, and the ability to establish persistent backdoors within their virtualized environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2100 require immediate remediation through patching affected VMware products to versions 1.1.4 build 93057 or later, which contain proper input validation and memory management fixes. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit guest-to-host communication where possible, disable unnecessary VIX API functionality, and employ monitoring solutions to detect suspicious API calls that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1055 for privilege escalation and T1070 for indicator removal, making it particularly dangerous in environments where traditional endpoint protection may not detect the exploitation. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments across all VMware installations, implement network monitoring for anomalous API traffic patterns, and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to handle hypervisor-level compromises that could affect multiple virtual machines simultaneously. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing virtualization-specific security controls such as VMware's built-in security features and third-party solutions that provide enhanced monitoring and protection for virtualized environments.