CVE-2018-3294 in VM VirtualBox
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox component of Oracle Virtualization (subcomponent: Core). The supported version that is affected is Prior to 5.2.20. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows low privileged attacker with network access via VRDP 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 9.0 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3294 resides within Oracle VM VirtualBox's Core component, specifically affecting versions prior to 5.2.20. This represents a critical security flaw that demonstrates the inherent risks present in virtualization software where a single vulnerability can compromise entire virtual environments. The vulnerability exists within Oracle's VirtualBox virtualization platform, which is widely deployed across enterprise environments for running multiple operating systems simultaneously on a single physical machine. The affected component is the VirtualBox Remote Desktop Protocol (VRDP) implementation that enables remote access to virtual machines through a network interface.
This vulnerability manifests as an easily exploitable flaw that requires an attacker with low privileges and network access to execute successful attacks against the Oracle VM VirtualBox system. The attack vector specifically utilizes the VRDP protocol, which is designed to provide remote desktop functionality for virtual machines. The security implications are particularly severe because the vulnerability operates through a network-based attack surface that can be accessed remotely without requiring local system access. The CVSS 3.0 scoring of 9.0 indicates the severity of this flaw, with high impacts across confidentiality, integrity, and availability domains. The vulnerability's classification as requiring human interaction suggests that while the initial exploitation may be automated, user confirmation or interaction is necessary to complete the attack chain, potentially through phishing or social engineering tactics.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond the immediate compromise of the Oracle VM VirtualBox system itself. The attack can result in complete takeover of the virtualization platform, allowing malicious actors to gain full control over all virtual machines managed by the compromised system. This scenario creates a cascading effect where a single compromised virtualization host can potentially lead to the compromise of multiple guest operating systems and the data they contain. The CVSS vector analysis reveals that the attack requires low access complexity and only low privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers with minimal initial access rights. The score of 9.0 indicates that the vulnerability can cause significant damage to the overall security posture of organizations relying on VirtualBox for their virtualization needs.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms within virtualization platforms. The attack leverages network-based access through VRDP, which typically operates on TCP port 3389, making it a potential target for network scanning and automated exploitation tools. Organizations using VirtualBox without proper patching or network segmentation are particularly vulnerable to this type of attack, as the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring physical access to the target system. The compromise of the virtualization platform creates a persistent threat vector that attackers can use to maintain access and potentially escalate privileges within the broader network infrastructure. This vulnerability highlights the critical need for organizations to maintain current security patches and to implement proper network segmentation controls to limit the potential impact of such attacks.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. The attack pattern corresponds to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1078 credential access and T1059 execution techniques. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect unauthorized VRDP connections and ensure that VirtualBox installations are properly configured with strong authentication mechanisms. The recommended mitigation includes immediate patching to version 5.2.20 or later, implementing network access controls to restrict VRDP access, and conducting regular security assessments of virtualization environments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to isolate virtualization hosts from critical network segments and establish robust monitoring procedures to detect anomalous network activity related to VRDP connections.