CVE-2012-5459 in Workstation
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in VMware Workstation 8.x before 8.0.5 and VMware Player 4.x before 4.0.5 on Windows allows host OS users to gain host OS privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in a "system folder."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5459 represents a critical untrusted search path issue affecting VMware Workstation 8.x versions prior to 8.0.5 and VMware Player 4.x versions prior to 4.0.5 on Windows operating systems. This flaw resides in the privilege escalation mechanism within VMware's virtualization software, specifically exploiting how the system resolves dynamic link library dependencies during application execution. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-427, which addresses Uncontrolled Search Path Elements, a well-documented weakness that enables attackers to manipulate the order in which system components are loaded. The issue stems from the software's failure to properly validate the search path used for loading DLL modules, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to place specially crafted DLL files in system directories where the legitimate software expects to find its dependencies.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a local attacker with access to the host operating system places a malicious DLL file in a system folder that is searched before the legitimate VMware components. This Trojan horse approach leverages the Windows DLL search order mechanism, which first looks in the current working directory, then in system directories, and finally in the PATH environment variable. When VMware Workstation or Player executes and attempts to load required libraries, it inadvertently loads the attacker-controlled DLL instead of the legitimate one, thereby executing arbitrary code with the privileges of the running VMware process. This privilege escalation vector is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to potentially gain elevated system privileges on the host machine, bypassing standard security boundaries between virtual and host environments. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insecure library loading practices that violate the principle of least privilege and proper access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5459 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on VMware virtualization platforms. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to host systems, potentially compromising entire virtualized environments and enabling further attacks against network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects both VMware Workstation and Player products, making it relevant to both enterprise and individual users who may be running unpatched virtualization software. The attack requires local system access, which means that an attacker must already have some level of access to the host system, but once achieved, the privilege escalation can be used to execute malicious payloads with system-level privileges. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes the use of local privilege escalation to gain elevated system access, and T1548.002, which covers the use of legitimate credentials to escalate privileges. The implications are particularly severe in environments where virtual machines are used to isolate sensitive workloads, as this vulnerability can allow attackers to break out of virtualization boundaries and gain access to the underlying host system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5459 should prioritize immediate patching of affected VMware products to versions 8.0.5 and 4.0.5 respectively, which address the untrusted search path vulnerability through proper DLL loading mechanisms. System administrators should implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized local access to host systems, as this vulnerability requires local system privileges to exploit. Additional protective measures include enabling Windows Defender Application Control or similar application whitelisting solutions, configuring proper file permissions on system directories, and implementing monitoring for suspicious DLL loading activities. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege by running VMware processes with minimal required privileges and regularly auditing system directories for unauthorized DLL placements. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in virtualization software development, particularly regarding the handling of dynamic library loading and search path resolution. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through log analysis and endpoint detection systems, as the attack pattern involves predictable DLL loading behavior that can be detected through proper monitoring configurations.