CVE-2014-4200 in Support Tools
Summary
by MITRE
vm-support 0.88 in VMware Tools, as distributed with VMware Workstation through 10.0.3 and other products, uses 0644 permissions for the vm-support archive, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by extracting files from this archive.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4200 resides within VMware Tools version 0.88, specifically affecting VMware Workstation versions up to 10.0.3 and other VMware products. This issue represents a privilege escalation and information disclosure vulnerability that stems from improper file permissions within the vm-support archive. The vm-support utility is designed to collect diagnostic information from virtual machines, but the flawed implementation creates an unintended access vector for local attackers. The archive file is distributed with 0644 permissions, which means it is readable and writable by the owner while being readable by all other users on the system. This configuration violates fundamental security principles and creates a pathway for unauthorized information extraction.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper permission assignment on the vm-support archive file, which operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-732. This weakness describes inadequate permissions on critical security resources, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data. In this specific case, the 0644 permissions create a situation where local users can extract files from the archive without proper authorization. The archive contains diagnostic information from virtual machines, potentially including system configurations, network settings, and other sensitive metadata that could be valuable to an attacker. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the local user level, meaning any user with access to the system can exploit this flaw without requiring elevated privileges or network access.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables local users to extract sensitive information that could be used for further attacks or system compromise. The extracted information might include virtual machine configurations, guest operating system details, network connectivity information, and other diagnostic data that could aid in crafting more sophisticated attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082, which covers system information discovery, and T1005, which covers data from local system. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as this data could be leveraged to identify system weaknesses, understand network topology, or discover other potential attack vectors within the virtualized environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where different users may have varying levels of access to the same system resources.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate application of VMware patches and updates that correct the permission settings on the vm-support archive. System administrators should also implement proper file permission controls and conduct regular audits to ensure that sensitive archives and diagnostic files maintain appropriate access controls. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that only authorized users or processes can access sensitive diagnostic information. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized access attempts to system diagnostic files and configure automated alerts for permission changes on critical system components. Security awareness training should emphasize the importance of proper file permissions and the potential risks associated with overly permissive access controls. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper access control implementation and the potential consequences of overlooking basic security configurations in system utilities.