CVE-2017-15884 in Vagrant VMware Fusion Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
In HashiCorp Vagrant VMware Fusion plugin (aka vagrant-vmware-fusion) 5.0.0, a local attacker or malware can silently subvert the plugin update process in order to escalate to root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15884 affects the HashiCorp Vagrant VMware Fusion plugin version 5.0.0, presenting a critical security risk that enables local privilege escalation through manipulation of the plugin update mechanism. This flaw represents a significant compromise in the security model of virtualization environments where Vagrant is used for automated provisioning and testing. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and authentication mechanisms within the plugin update process, allowing malicious actors to intercept or replace legitimate update files without proper authorization. The attack vector specifically targets local adversaries who possess user-level access to systems running the vulnerable plugin, making it particularly concerning in multi-user environments where privilege separation is expected to maintain system integrity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a race condition or insecure update mechanism that permits unauthorized modification of plugin components during the update cycle. When the plugin attempts to verify or install updates, it fails to implement proper cryptographic signatures or integrity checks that would normally prevent tampering with the update process. This weakness enables attackers to inject malicious code into the update stream, which then executes with elevated privileges during the installation phase. The vulnerability can be classified under CWE-284: Improper Access Control, as it involves inadequate privilege management during the update process, and potentially CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data if the update mechanism involves parsing of untrusted configuration or update files. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where adversaries leverage system vulnerabilities to gain higher-level permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security assumptions of virtual machine management environments. Systems running vulnerable versions of the Vagrant VMware Fusion plugin become susceptible to persistent backdoors and complete system compromise, especially when the plugin is used in development environments where automated updates are common. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, modify system configurations, or exfiltrate sensitive data from virtual machines managed through Vagrant. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where developers frequently use Vagrant for testing and development, as it provides a pathway for attackers to gain root access on development workstations and potentially propagate to other systems within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15884 require immediate patching of the vulnerable plugin to version 5.0.1 or later, which addresses the insecure update mechanism through proper cryptographic verification and access control measures. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to systems running vulnerable plugins and establish monitoring for suspicious update activities. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of all Vagrant installations and related plugins to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their infrastructure. The solution involves strengthening the update process through digital signatures, integrity checks, and proper privilege separation during plugin installation. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized plugin components and establish regular security assessments of development environments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other tools or frameworks.