CVE-2017-4915 in Workstation Pro
Summary
by MITRE
VMware Workstation Pro/Player contains an insecure library loading vulnerability via ALSA sound driver configuration files. Successful exploitation of this issue may allow unprivileged host users to escalate their privileges to root in a Linux host machine.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-4915 represents a critical insecure library loading flaw within VMware Workstation Pro and Player versions that affects Linux host systems. This issue stems from how the virtualization software handles ALSA sound driver configuration files, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability specifically targets the manner in which VMware processes audio driver configurations, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the loading sequence of shared libraries and subsequently gain elevated system privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the improper handling of library paths during the ALSA sound driver initialization process. When VMware Workstation or Player runs on a Linux system, it loads ALSA configuration files that may contain insecure library loading directives. An unprivileged user can manipulate these configuration files to redirect library loading to malicious shared objects that are loaded with root privileges. This occurs because the system does not properly validate or sanitize the library paths specified in the ALSA configuration, creating an attack surface where user-controlled input can influence the execution flow of privileged processes.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe security risk as it allows local users to escalate their privileges from standard user level to root access without requiring any special authentication or administrative credentials. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages legitimate system components and does not require network access or complex exploitation techniques. Once successfully exploited, the attacker gains complete control over the host system, potentially enabling data exfiltration, system compromise, or further lateral movement within the network environment.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate privilege escalation, as it can serve as a foundational attack vector for more sophisticated compromise techniques. Security researchers have classified this issue according to CWE-427, which addresses Uncontrolled Search Path Element, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. Organizations running VMware Workstation or Player on Linux systems face significant risk if they have users with access to these virtualization platforms, as any local user could potentially leverage this vulnerability to gain root access and compromise the entire host system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-4915 should prioritize immediate patching of affected VMware Workstation and Player versions to address the insecure library loading behavior. System administrators should also implement strict file permissions and access controls on ALSA configuration directories, ensuring that only authorized users can modify these critical system files. Additionally, monitoring for unauthorized modifications to sound driver configuration files and implementing runtime protection mechanisms can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and privilege separation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while also maintaining regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components.