CVE-2019-2500 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 5.2.24 and prior to 6.0.2. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows low privileged attacker with logon to the infrastructure where Oracle VM VirtualBox executes to compromise Oracle VM VirtualBox. 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 8.8 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2500 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle VM VirtualBox's Core subcomponent that affects versions prior to 5.2.24 and 6.0.2. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-20, which encompasses "Improper Input Validation" and specifically relates to inadequate sanitization of input parameters that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The flaw exists in the virtualization layer where Oracle VM VirtualBox processes guest operating system inputs and system calls, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through legitimate user access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the VirtualBox Core component that handles inter-process communication and system resource management. Attackers with low-privileged access to the host system where VirtualBox executes can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The attack vector requires local access to the host infrastructure, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical or administrative access is possible. The CVSS 3.0 scoring of 8.8 reflects the high severity impact across all three core security principles: confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H indicating local attack complexity, low privilege requirements, and catastrophic impact across all security dimensions.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-2500 extends beyond the immediate compromise of the VirtualBox application itself, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system takeover and potential lateral movement within network environments. This vulnerability enables attackers to gain control over virtual machines hosted on the compromised system, potentially allowing them to access sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable means that attackers with minimal technical skills and access to the host system can achieve significant compromise without requiring advanced exploitation techniques. Organizations running affected VirtualBox versions face substantial risk of data breaches, system integrity violations, and potential regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-2500 primarily focus on immediate patching and system updates to versions 5.2.24 or 6.0.2 and later, which contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators should implement comprehensive access controls to limit local system access and monitor for unauthorized activities on host systems. Network segmentation and microsegmentation can help limit the potential impact of exploitation by preventing lateral movement. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their virtualization environments, implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior in VirtualBox processes, and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing virtualization-related security incidents. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date virtualization software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against attacks targeting virtualization infrastructure.