CVE-2016-7086 in Workstation Pro
Summary
by MITRE
The installer in VMware Workstation Pro 12.x before 12.5.0 and VMware Workstation Player 12.x before 12.5.0 on Windows allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse setup64.exe file in the installation directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7086 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within VMware Workstation Pro and Player installation processes on Windows systems. This weakness stems from inadequate validation mechanisms during the installation procedure, specifically targeting the setup64.exe file which serves as a critical component in the virtualization software deployment. The vulnerability exists in versions prior to 12.5.0 of both VMware Workstation Pro and Player, creating a persistent security risk for users who install these products on Windows platforms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on a Trojan horse attack vector where a local malicious actor can place a crafted setup64.exe file within the installation directory. This file manipulation exploits the trust relationship between the installer and the system's file execution pathways. When the legitimate installation process attempts to execute setup64.exe, it inadvertently runs the malicious component, thereby allowing unauthorized privilege elevation. The flaw demonstrates a classic path traversal and file replacement vulnerability that falls under CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-264 Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls categories.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability enables local users to escalate their privileges from standard user level to administrative privileges without requiring legitimate administrative credentials or complex attack vectors. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with complete control over the target system, potentially allowing for persistent access, data exfiltration, and further network reconnaissance. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the installation phase, meaning any user with local access to the target system can exploit this weakness regardless of their initial security posture or access controls. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes the exploitation of local privileges for privilege escalation, and T1547.001, which covers registry run keys and startup folder modifications that could be leveraged in similar scenarios.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users may have local access to systems. Attackers can simply replace the legitimate setup64.exe file with a malicious variant that executes their payload before or during the installation process. This type of attack can be particularly effective in environments where users may not be security-aware or where system administrators have not implemented proper file integrity monitoring. The vulnerability's impact is exacerbated by the fact that it affects both VMware Workstation Pro and Player products, broadening the potential attack surface across different user groups and use cases. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to address this vulnerability promptly, as the window of opportunity for exploitation exists during the installation phase when system security controls may be less stringent.