CVE-2015-2336 in Workstation
Summary
by MITRE
TPView.dll in VMware Workstation 10.x before 10.0.6 and 11.x before 11.1.1, VMware Player 6.x before 6.0.6 and 7.x before 7.1.1, and VMware Horizon Client 3.2.x before 3.2.1, 3.3.x, and 5.x local-mode before 5.4.2 on Windows does not properly allocate memory, which allows guest OS users to execute arbitrary code on the host OS via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-0897.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2336 represents a critical memory allocation flaw within the TPView.dll component of VMware's virtualization products, specifically affecting VMware Workstation, Player, and Horizon Client across multiple version ranges. This issue stems from improper memory handling mechanisms that create exploitable conditions for privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability exists in the Windows versions of these products and specifically targets the interaction between guest operating systems and host systems through the TPView.dll library. The flaw enables a guest OS user to execute arbitrary code on the host OS, representing a significant security risk that undermines the fundamental isolation principles that virtualization environments are designed to maintain. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the hypervisor level where guest users can potentially gain unauthorized access to host resources, bypassing traditional security boundaries that separate virtual environments from physical systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves memory allocation functions within TPView.dll that fail to properly validate or manage memory resources when processing data from guest operating systems. This improper memory handling creates potential for buffer overflows, memory corruption, or other memory-related exploitation techniques that attackers can leverage. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the vulnerability can be triggered through various means within the virtualized environment, potentially including file operations, network communications, or other data processing activities that involve the TPView.dll component. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-129 as an Improper Validation of Array Index, which specifically addresses issues where array indices are not properly validated leading to memory access violations. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can manipulate memory allocation patterns to execute malicious code with host OS privileges, effectively elevating their access level from guest to host context. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation and memory management within virtualization software components, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks that can compromise entire host systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2336 extends beyond simple code execution, representing a fundamental breach in virtualization security that can lead to complete system compromise. When exploited, this vulnerability allows guest users to execute arbitrary code on the host system, potentially enabling attackers to access sensitive host data, install malware, modify system configurations, or establish persistent backdoors. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates within the trusted virtual environment, where guest users typically have limited privileges and are expected to be isolated from host resources. This vulnerability affects organizations using VMware products in environments where multiple users share virtual machines or where guest operating systems may be compromised, as the attack can originate from any authenticated user within the guest environment. The implications include potential data breaches, system downtime, and the compromise of entire virtualized infrastructures that rely on proper isolation between guest and host systems. Organizations running affected VMware products face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure, as the compromised host can serve as a launching point for further attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2336 focus on immediate patching of affected VMware products to address the memory allocation flaws in TPView.dll. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected versions of VMware Workstation, Player, and Horizon Client to their patched releases, specifically ensuring that VMware Workstation 10.0.6, 11.1.1, VMware Player 6.0.6, 7.1.1, and Horizon Client versions 3.2.1, 3.3.x, and 5.4.2 are deployed. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1055 for Process Injection and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, making it particularly relevant to defensive measures focused on process monitoring and privilege controls. Security administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit guest user privileges and reduce the attack surface within virtualized environments. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any systems running unpatched VMware products and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date virtualization security patches and implementing regular security audits of virtual environments. Organizations should consider implementing host-based intrusion detection systems and monitoring for unusual memory allocation patterns or suspicious code execution activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security training for administrators and users about the risks of running unpatched virtualization software is essential to maintain overall security posture and prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.