CVE-2010-4295 in Workstation
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in the mounting process in vmware-mount in VMware Workstation 7.x before 7.1.2 build 301548 on Linux, VMware Player 3.1.x before 3.1.2 build 301548 on Linux, VMware Server 2.0.2 on Linux, and VMware Fusion 3.1.x before 3.1.2 build 332101 allows host OS users to gain privileges via vectors involving temporary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-4295 represents a critical race condition flaw in VMware's mounting utility vmware-mount across multiple virtualization products including VMware Workstation, Player, Server, and Fusion. This issue specifically affects versions prior to the mentioned build numbers and occurs within the Linux operating system environment where VMware virtual machines are executed. The race condition manifests during the mounting process when temporary files are created and managed, creating a window of opportunity for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the improper handling of temporary files during the mount operation process. When vmware-mount executes, it creates temporary files that are subsequently used in the mounting procedure. The race condition occurs because the system does not properly synchronize access to these temporary files, allowing an attacker to manipulate the file system state between the time when the temporary file is created and when it is accessed. This timing discrepancy enables malicious users to replace legitimate temporary files with malicious counterparts, potentially gaining elevated privileges on the host operating system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant security risks to organizations utilizing VMware virtualization solutions. The privilege escalation capability means that unauthenticated local users could potentially elevate their privileges to root level, providing complete control over the host system. This threat is particularly concerning in multi-tenant environments or shared hosting scenarios where multiple users might be running virtual machines on the same physical host. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of VMware's virtualization platform, undermining the isolation between guest and host systems.
The flaw aligns with CWE-367, which specifically addresses Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) race conditions, and demonstrates how improper file handling can lead to privilege escalation. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through exploitation of software vulnerabilities and defense evasion by leveraging system-level access. The attack vector requires local system access but does not need network connectivity, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical access is possible.
Organizations should immediately apply the vendor patches released for VMware Workstation 7.1.2, Player 3.1.2, Server 2.0.2, and Fusion 3.1.2 to address this vulnerability. System administrators should also implement monitoring for suspicious file creation patterns in temporary directories and consider implementing additional host-based security controls. The patch addresses the race condition by properly synchronizing file operations and implementing more secure temporary file handling mechanisms that prevent attackers from manipulating the mounting process. Regular security assessments should be conducted to ensure that all virtualization components remain up-to-date with the latest security patches and that proper access controls are maintained across virtualization environments.