CVE-2018-2685 in VM VirtualBox
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox component of Oracle Virtualization (subcomponent: Core). Supported versions that are affected are Prior to 5.1.32 and Prior to 5.2.6. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with logon to the infrastructure where Oracle VM VirtualBox executes to compromise Oracle VM VirtualBox. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker and while the vulnerability is in Oracle VM VirtualBox, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of Oracle VM VirtualBox. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 8.6 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2685 resides within Oracle VM VirtualBox's Core component, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity and availability of virtualization environments. This vulnerability affects specific versions of Oracle VM VirtualBox prior to 5.1.32 and 5.2.6, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on virtualization technologies for their computing infrastructure. The flaw's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers can leverage it with minimal technical sophistication, particularly when they already have access to the underlying infrastructure where VirtualBox operates.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the VirtualBox Core component, which allows malicious actors to manipulate the virtualization environment through carefully crafted inputs. This weakness creates an attack surface that can be exploited by unauthenticated users who possess legitimate access to the host system where VirtualBox is installed. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond the immediate VirtualBox application, as successful exploitation can compromise not only the virtualization platform but also potentially affect other systems and applications within the broader network ecosystem. The CVSS 3.0 score of 8.6 reflects the severity of this flaw, with high impacts across confidentiality, integrity, and availability dimensions.
The operational implications of CVE-2018-2685 are particularly concerning given that successful attacks require only human interaction from individuals other than the attacker, suggesting that social engineering or insider threats could facilitate exploitation. This aspect increases the attack surface significantly as it doesn't rely solely on technical vulnerabilities but also on human factors within the organization. The vulnerability's ability to result in complete takeover of Oracle VM VirtualBox means that attackers could gain full administrative control over the virtualization environment, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and disruption of critical business operations. Organizations utilizing affected VirtualBox versions face substantial risk of unauthorized access to their virtualized infrastructure, which could serve as a launching point for broader attacks against network resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate version updates to Oracle VM VirtualBox 5.1.32 or 5.2.6, which contain the necessary patches to address the underlying security flaw. System administrators should prioritize patching operations across all affected environments, particularly those with elevated privileges or access to sensitive data. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to VirtualBox installations, enforcing strict access controls for host systems, and monitoring for unusual activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider conducting comprehensive security assessments of their virtualization environments to identify any potential secondary impacts from successful exploitation. The vulnerability's alignment with CWE-121, which addresses buffer overflow conditions, and its mapping to ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and system compromise, underscores the need for layered security approaches that address both the specific vulnerability and broader attack patterns. Given the high CVSS score and the potential for significant operational disruption, organizations must treat this vulnerability as a priority for immediate remediation to maintain the security posture of their virtualized environments.