CVE-2017-4908 in Workstation
Summary
by MITRE
VMware Workstation (12.x prior to 12.5.3) and Horizon View Client (4.x prior to 4.4.0) contain multiple heap buffer-overflow vulnerabilities in JPEG2000 parser in the TPView.dll. On Workstation, this may allow a guest to execute code or perform a Denial of Service on the Windows OS that runs Workstation. In the case of a Horizon View Client, this may allow a View desktop to execute code or perform a Denial of Service on the Windows OS that runs the Horizon View Client. Exploitation is only possible if virtual printing has been enabled. This feature is not enabled by default on Workstation but it is enabled by default on Horizon View.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-4908 represents a critical heap buffer overflow issue within the JPEG2000 parser implementation in VMware's TPView.dll component. This flaw affects VMware Workstation versions 12.x prior to 12.5.3 and Horizon View Client versions 4.x prior to 4.4.0, demonstrating the widespread impact across VMware's virtualization and desktop virtualization products. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the JPEG2000 image parsing functionality, specifically in how the parser handles malformed or oversized image data structures that exceed allocated memory boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through memory corruption that manifests as heap buffer overflows, which can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code or cause system crashes. The flaw operates within the TPView.dll library, which processes JPEG2000 images used in virtual printing functionality. When virtual printing is enabled, the system processes incoming image data through this vulnerable parser, creating an attack surface that allows malicious actors to craft specially formatted JPEG2000 images that trigger the buffer overflow condition. This vulnerability specifically targets heap memory management, where the parser fails to properly validate the size of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size buffers, creating conditions for memory corruption that can be exploited through controlled data input.
The operational impact varies significantly between the affected products due to their default configuration settings. In VMware Workstation, the vulnerability can be exploited by a guest operating system to execute code or cause denial of service on the host Windows OS, representing a privilege escalation scenario where guest users can compromise host systems. However, the default configuration of Workstation does not enable virtual printing, requiring attackers to first modify system settings to create the attack vector. Conversely, Horizon View Client has virtual printing enabled by default, making it more immediately vulnerable to exploitation. This differential default configuration creates varying risk profiles where Horizon View clients present a higher immediate threat level due to their default security posture.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including privilege escalation through code injection and denial of service attacks. The CWE-121 classification applies to this vulnerability as it represents a heap-based buffer overflow, while CWE-787 specifically addresses out-of-bounds writes that can result from insufficient bounds checking. Organizations using affected VMware products face significant risk from both internal and external threat actors who could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise or service disruption. The vulnerability's exploitation requires specific conditions related to virtual printing configuration, but once established, provides a persistent attack vector that can be maintained across system reboots.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of affected VMware products to versions 12.5.3 or later for Workstation and 4.4.0 or later for Horizon View Client, which contain the necessary fixes to address the buffer overflow conditions. Administrators should also consider disabling virtual printing functionality in Workstation environments where it is not required, as this eliminates the attack vector entirely. Network segmentation and monitoring for unusual image processing activities can provide additional defensive layers, while regular security assessments should verify that virtual printing features remain properly configured. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in multimedia processing libraries and demonstrates how seemingly benign features like virtual printing can create significant security risks when not properly secured through adequate bounds checking and memory management practices.