CVE-2015-2340 in Workstation
Summary
by MITRE
TPInt.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 cause a host OS denial of service via unspecified vectors.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2340 represents a critical memory allocation flaw within the TPInt.dll component of multiple VMware virtualization products. This issue affects VMware Workstation versions 10.x prior to 10.0.6 and 11.x prior to 11.1.1, VMware Player versions 6.x prior to 6.0.6 and 7.x prior to 7.1.1, and VMware Horizon Client versions 3.2.x prior to 3.2.1, 3.3.x, and 5.x local-mode prior to 5.4.2 on Windows platforms. The flaw resides in how the TPInt.dll module handles memory allocation operations, creating a potential pathway for malicious exploitation that could compromise system stability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the VMware virtualization stack, specifically within the transport integration component responsible for facilitating communication between guest and host operating systems. When guest OS users execute specific memory allocation sequences, the TPInt.dll module fails to properly validate or handle these operations, leading to potential memory corruption or allocation failures. This memory handling deficiency creates a condition where malicious inputs can trigger unexpected behavior in the host OS, ultimately resulting in system instability and denial of service conditions. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that multiple attack paths may exist, making the vulnerability particularly concerning from a security assessment perspective.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it represents a significant threat to virtualized environments where guest and host systems interact frequently. Attackers with access to guest operating systems can leverage this flaw to disrupt host OS operations, potentially affecting multiple virtual machines running on the same physical host. This vulnerability particularly impacts enterprise environments that rely heavily on virtualization technologies, where a single compromised guest OS could potentially bring down critical host infrastructure. The nature of the flaw means that even unprivileged users within the guest environment can exploit this weakness, making it a serious concern for organizations with shared or multi-tenant virtualization deployments. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and potentially CWE-125, concerning out-of-bounds read conditions, both of which relate to memory handling flaws in software components.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability through the application of official VMware patches and updates. The recommended mitigation strategy includes upgrading to the patched versions of affected VMware products, specifically VMware Workstation 10.0.6 and 11.1.1, VMware Player 6.0.6 and 7.1.1, and VMware Horizon Client 3.2.1, 3.3.x, and 5.4.2 versions. Additionally, security teams should implement monitoring protocols to detect unusual memory allocation patterns or denial of service attempts within virtualized environments. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1499.004 technique for Network Denial of Service, as the exploitation creates conditions that can disrupt normal service availability. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit guest OS user privileges and reduce the potential attack surface. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing of virtualized environments are essential to identify and remediate similar memory handling flaws that may exist within other components of the virtualization stack.