CVE-2017-10235 in VM VirtualBox
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox component of Oracle Virtualization (subcomponent: Core). The supported version that is affected is Prior to 5.1.24. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows high privileged attacker with logon to the infrastructure where Oracle VM VirtualBox executes to compromise Oracle VM VirtualBox. While the vulnerability is in Oracle VM VirtualBox, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized ability to cause a hang or frequently repeatable crash (complete DOS) of Oracle VM VirtualBox as well as unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Oracle VM VirtualBox accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 6.7 (Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:H).
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10235 resides within Oracle VM VirtualBox's Core subcomponent, representing a critical security flaw that affects versions prior to 5.1.24. This vulnerability operates within the broader context of virtualization security, where the integrity and availability of virtual machine environments are paramount. The flaw specifically targets the underlying infrastructure where Oracle VM VirtualBox executes, creating a pathway for attackers who already possess legitimate access to compromise the virtualization platform itself. This represents a significant concern given that virtualization platforms often serve as foundational elements for enterprise computing environments, making their security paramount to overall organizational security postures. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that the attack vector requires minimal sophistication, though it does demand high-privileged access to the host infrastructure where VirtualBox operates.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory handling within the VirtualBox Core component, which allows for malicious manipulation of the virtualization environment. Attackers with logon privileges to the host system can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code within the VirtualBox context, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability manifests through mechanisms that can cause either system hangs or repeated crashes, effectively creating a denial of service condition that can render virtual machines inaccessible. Additionally, the flaw enables unauthorized modification of data within the VirtualBox environment, allowing attackers to insert, update, or delete information without proper authorization. This dual impact on both availability and integrity creates a particularly dangerous scenario where attackers can simultaneously disrupt service availability while potentially corrupting or manipulating critical virtualization data.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-10235 extends far beyond the immediate VirtualBox environment, as the compromise of a virtualization platform can have cascading effects throughout an organization's IT infrastructure. When attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability, they can potentially gain control over multiple virtual machines running on the compromised host, effectively creating a foothold for broader lateral movement within the network. The CVSS 3.0 score of 6.7 reflects the severity of this vulnerability, with the high availability impact score indicating that complete system crashes are possible, while the integrity impact score suggests that unauthorized data modification can occur. The vector analysis reveals that the attack requires local access with high privileges, but the potential for significant damage makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations that maintain virtualized environments with elevated user accounts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-122, which addresses buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic case where inadequate memory management can lead to system compromise.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Oracle VM VirtualBox version 5.1.24 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the underlying memory handling issues. System administrators should also consider implementing additional access controls and monitoring for suspicious activities within virtualization environments, as the vulnerability requires legitimate user credentials to exploit effectively. Network segmentation strategies should be reinforced to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation, while regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify other potential weaknesses in virtualization infrastructure. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.001 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation may involve executing malicious code within the virtualized environment. Additionally, the vulnerability's impact on system availability aligns with T1499.004 for network denial of service, while the data modification capabilities correspond to T1566.001 for malicious file execution. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can monitor for abnormal VirtualBox process behavior and unauthorized data modifications. The vulnerability's characteristics make it particularly relevant for security teams implementing zero trust architectures, where the assumption of compromised credentials necessitates continuous verification of system integrity and access controls.