CVE-2014-0983 in VM VirtualBox
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple array index errors in programs that are automatically generated by VBox/HostServices/SharedOpenGL/crserverlib/server_dispatch.py in Oracle VirtualBox 4.2.x through 4.2.20 and 4.3.x before 4.3.8, when using 3D Acceleration, allow local guest OS users to execute arbitrary code on the Chromium server via certain CR_MESSAGE_OPCODES messages with a crafted index, which are not properly handled by the (1) CR_VERTEXATTRIB4NUBARB_OPCODE to the crServerDispatchVertexAttrib4NubARB function, (2) CR_VERTEXATTRIB1DARB_OPCODE to the crServerDispatchVertexAttrib1dARB function, (3) CR_VERTEXATTRIB1FARB_OPCODE to the crServerDispatchVertexAttrib1fARB function, (4) CR_VERTEXATTRIB1SARB_OPCODE to the crServerDispatchVertexAttrib1sARB function, (5) CR_VERTEXATTRIB2DARB_OPCODE to the crServerDispatchVertexAttrib2dARB function, (6) CR_VERTEXATTRIB2FARB_OPCODE to the crServerDispatchVertexAttrib2fARB function, (7) CR_VERTEXATTRIB2SARB_OPCODE to the crServerDispatchVertexAttrib2sARB function, (8) CR_VERTEXATTRIB3DARB_OPCODE to the crServerDispatchVertexAttrib3dARB function, (9) CR_VERTEXATTRIB3FARB_OPCODE to the crServerDispatchVertexAttrib3fARB function, (10) CR_VERTEXATTRIB3SARB_OPCODE to the crServerDispatchVertexAttrib3sARB function, (11) CR_VERTEXATTRIB4DARB_OPCODE to the crServerDispatchVertexAttrib4dARB function, (12) CR_VERTEXATTRIB4FARB_OPCODE to the crServerDispatchVertexAttrib4fARB function, and (13) CR_VERTEXATTRIB4SARB_OPCODE to the crServerDispatchVertexAttrib4sARB function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0983 represents a critical security flaw in Oracle VirtualBox's 3D acceleration functionality, specifically within the automatically generated server dispatch component. This issue affects VirtualBox versions 4.2.x through 4.2.20 and 4.3.x before 4.3.8, where the Chromium server implementation fails to properly validate array indices in response to certain CR_MESSAGE_OPCODES. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of vertex attribute data structures during OpenGL command processing, creating potential execution paths for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the server_dispatch.py file within the VBox/HostServices/SharedOpenGL/crserverlib directory, where multiple functions process vertex attribute operations without adequate bounds checking. Specifically, the flaw manifests when guest operating systems send crafted CR_MESSAGE_OPCODES to the host server, targeting functions such as crServerDispatchVertexAttrib4NubARB, crServerDispatchVertexAttrib1dARB, and their variants. These functions fail to validate array indices before accessing memory locations, enabling attackers to trigger buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions that could be exploited for code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides local guest OS users with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the host system. This represents a significant escalation from typical guest-to-host privilege boundaries, potentially allowing attackers to bypass virtualization security models entirely. The vulnerability affects all OpenGL vertex attribute operations, making it particularly dangerous for applications that rely heavily on 3D graphics rendering within virtualized environments, including gaming applications, CAD software, and multimedia applications.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1055 for privilege escalation through process injection. The flaw represents a classic case of input validation failure in a virtualization context where guest processes can manipulate host-level components through legitimate interface pathways. Organizations utilizing VirtualBox with 3D acceleration enabled face significant risk, particularly in multi-user environments or when running untrusted guest operating systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected VirtualBox versions to 4.3.8 or later, where Oracle has implemented proper array index validation in the affected server dispatch functions. System administrators should disable 3D acceleration for guest operating systems that do not require it, particularly in environments where guest OS integrity cannot be guaranteed. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to limit guest-to-host communication pathways, monitoring for suspicious OpenGL command sequences, and maintaining comprehensive audit logs of 3D acceleration usage within virtual environments. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in virtualization components and the critical need for security testing of automatically generated code in complex software systems.