CVE-2013-5972 in Workstation
Summary
by MITRE
VMware Workstation 9.x before 9.0.3 and VMware Player 5.x before 5.0.3 on Linux do not properly handle shared libraries, which allows host OS users to gain host OS privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
This vulnerability affects VMware Workstation version 9.0.2 and earlier, as well as VMware Player version 5.0.2 and earlier on Linux systems. The issue stems from improper handling of shared libraries within the virtualization environment, creating a privilege escalation pathway for local users. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management, and represents a critical flaw in the virtualization security model that allows unprivileged users to escalate their privileges to those of the host operating system.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper loading and management of shared libraries in the virtualization stack. When VMware Workstation or Player processes shared libraries, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the library paths and loading mechanisms, potentially allowing malicious shared libraries to be loaded with elevated privileges. This vulnerability operates at the system level where the virtualization software runs with elevated privileges, making it a prime target for privilege escalation attacks. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack paths exist, potentially including library injection, path manipulation, or race condition exploitation within the shared library loading process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows local users to gain host OS privileges, effectively breaking the isolation boundary between the virtual machine and the host system. This privilege escalation enables attackers to access sensitive host resources, modify system files, install malware, or escalate their access to other system components. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where users may have access to virtualization software but should not possess host-level privileges. This represents a fundamental failure in the virtualization security model and violates the principle of least privilege that should govern all system components.
Mitigation strategies include immediate patching of affected VMware products to version 9.0.3 or later for Workstation and 5.0.3 or later for Player. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as restricting user access to virtualization software, monitoring for suspicious library loading patterns, and implementing proper privilege separation. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploit techniques, and demonstrates how virtualization platforms can become attack vectors when not properly secured. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized shared library loading and maintain regular security assessments of virtualization environments to identify similar privilege escalation vulnerabilities.