CVE-2017-4901 in Workstation
Summary
by MITRE
The drag-and-drop (DnD) function in VMware Workstation 12.x before version 12.5.4 and Fusion 8.x before version 8.5.5 has an out-of-bounds memory access vulnerability. This may allow a guest to execute code on the operating system that runs Workstation or Fusion.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-4901 represents a critical out-of-bounds memory access flaw within the drag-and-drop functionality of VMware Workstation and Fusion virtualization platforms. This issue affects VMware Workstation versions 12.x prior to 12.5.4 and Fusion versions 8.x prior to 8.5.5, creating a significant security risk that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the virtualization layer's DnD implementation, which handles file transfers between guest operating systems and the host environment. Such flaws are particularly dangerous in virtualized environments where the security boundaries between host and guest systems can be compromised.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious guest operating system attempts to perform drag-and-drop operations with specially crafted inputs that exceed the allocated memory boundaries. This out-of-bounds memory access can lead to arbitrary code execution on the host system, effectively breaking the isolation that virtualization platforms are designed to maintain. The flaw specifically manifests in how the virtualization software processes file paths and data structures during drag-and-drop operations, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which addresses insufficient input validation, and more specifically aligns with CWE-787, concerning out-of-bounds write operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-4901 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of virtualized environments. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with the privileges of the host operating system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The risk is particularly elevated in multi-tenant environments or when users with administrative privileges run untrusted virtual machines. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and script interpreter execution, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the compromised host system. Organizations using VMware products in production environments face significant exposure risks, particularly those with less stringent patch management processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-4901 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment, as VMware released updates addressing this specific vulnerability in versions 12.5.4 and 8.5.5. System administrators should prioritize patching all affected VMware Workstation and Fusion installations, particularly in environments where guest operating systems may be untrusted or compromised. Additional protective measures include disabling drag-and-drop functionality in virtual machines when it is not required, implementing network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors, and monitoring for unusual file transfer activities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in virtualization software, reinforcing the need for comprehensive security testing of hypervisor components. Organizations should consider implementing security controls that restrict guest-to-host file transfers and maintain detailed audit logs of all virtual machine activities to detect potential exploitation attempts.