CVE-2017-4911 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 out-of-bounds write 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-2017-4911 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the JPEG2000 parser implementation in VMware's TPView.dll component. This vulnerability affects multiple VMware products including VMware Workstation versions 12.x prior to 12.5.3 and VMware Horizon View Client versions 4.x prior to 4.4.0, creating potential security risks across virtualized environments where these components are deployed. The flaw resides in the handling of JPEG2000 image format parsing which is commonly used for image compression and transmission in virtualized desktop environments. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 as a heap-based buffer overflow, specifically manifesting as an out-of-bounds write condition that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires specific conditions to be met within the target environment. Attackers must have access to a guest operating system within a VMware virtual machine and must be able to leverage the virtual printing functionality that is enabled within the affected VMware products. In VMware Workstation, virtual printing is not enabled by default, requiring administrators to manually configure this feature, whereas in Horizon View Client, virtual printing is enabled by default, making it more susceptible to exploitation. The attack vector involves crafting malicious JPEG2000 image data that, when processed by the vulnerable TPView.dll component, triggers the out-of-bounds write condition. This condition can result in memory corruption that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running process, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to include potential code execution capabilities that could enable attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to virtualized desktop environments. For VMware Workstation deployments, this vulnerability creates a risk where guest operating systems could potentially escape their virtualized environment and execute malicious code on the host Windows operating system. In Horizon View Client environments, the risk is even more pronounced as the default configuration enables virtual printing, making the attack surface larger and more accessible to potential adversaries. The vulnerability affects Windows operating systems running on both the host and guest virtual machines, creating a multi-layered threat that could compromise entire virtual desktop infrastructure deployments. Organizations using these VMware products without proper patching or configuration management are exposed to significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-4911 should focus on immediate patch application to all affected VMware products, with particular emphasis on upgrading to versions 12.5.3 for Workstation and 4.4.0 for Horizon View Client. Administrators should also implement configuration changes to disable virtual printing functionality when it is not required, particularly in Workstation environments where this feature is not enabled by default. Network segmentation and monitoring of virtual printing traffic can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it particularly dangerous in environments where attackers could leverage these capabilities to establish persistent access. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for processing image files and establishing strict access controls for virtual printing features in desktop virtualization environments. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits of virtualized infrastructure are essential to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future, as this flaw demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date virtualization components in enterprise security posture management.