CVE-2010-3277 in Workstation
Summary
by MITRE
The installer in VMware Workstation 7.x before 7.1.2 build 301548 and VMware Player 3.x before 3.1.2 build 301548 renders an index.htm file if present in the installation directory, which might allow local users to trigger unintended interpretation of web script or HTML by creating this file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3277 represents a significant security flaw in VMware Workstation and Player installation processes that could enable local privilege escalation through malicious file manipulation. This issue affects VMware Workstation versions 7.x prior to 7.1.2 build 301548 and VMware Player versions 3.x prior to 3.1.2 build 301548, creating a dangerous condition where the installer process fails to properly validate or sanitize the installation directory contents. The flaw stems from the installer's behavior of automatically rendering any index.htm file present in the installation directory without adequate security checks or access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a path traversal and arbitrary code execution scenario where the installer process treats user-controlled files with elevated privileges. When an attacker places a malicious index.htm file in the installation directory, the installer's execution context inadvertently processes this file as if it were part of the legitimate installation workflow. This creates a dangerous condition where HTML content or embedded scripts could be interpreted and executed with the privileges of the installer process, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands or manipulate system resources. The vulnerability falls under CWE-74, which addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in data queries, and specifically relates to CWE-1004, which deals with insecure default permissions in software installations.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-3277 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity violations. Local users who can write to the installation directory gain the ability to inject malicious web content that executes during the installation process, potentially leading to full system compromise if the installer runs with administrative privileges. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," and T1059, which addresses "Command and Scripting Interpreter" by enabling attackers to execute malicious code through HTML file interpretation. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where installation directories have weak access controls or where users with limited privileges can still modify installation paths.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected VMware products to version 7.1.2 build 301548 or later for Workstation and 3.1.2 build 301548 or later for Player. System administrators should implement strict access controls on installation directories to prevent unauthorized modification and ensure that only trusted users can write to these locations. Additional protective measures include monitoring for unauthorized index.htm file creation in installation directories and implementing file integrity monitoring solutions to detect malicious file placement attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege concepts for installation processes and regularly audit installation directories for unexpected file modifications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and secure file handling in installation processes, particularly when dealing with user-controllable content that may be processed with elevated privileges.