CVE-2019-5511 in Workstation Player
Summary
by MITRE
VMware Workstation (15.x before 15.0.3, 14.x before 14.1.6) running on Windows does not handle paths appropriately. Successful exploitation of this issue may allow the path to the VMX executable, on a Windows host, to be hijacked by a non-administrator leading to elevation of privilege.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5511 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within VMware Workstation versions 15.x prior to 15.0.3 and 14.x prior to 14.1.6 when operating on Windows host systems. This issue stems from improper path handling mechanisms that create exploitable conditions for unauthorized users to gain elevated system privileges. The flaw specifically affects the manner in which VMware Workstation processes executable paths on Windows platforms, creating opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate the execution flow of virtual machine processes. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper path handling as classified by CWE-78, which addresses the dangerous practice of executing commands with insufficiently sanitized or validated paths. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate the system's path resolution mechanism to redirect execution to malicious payloads instead of legitimate system components.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a non-administrator user leverages the flawed path handling to hijack the execution path of the VMX executable, which is the core virtual machine monitor process in VMware environments. When VMware Workstation initializes or manages virtual machines, it relies on specific path resolution mechanisms to locate and execute necessary components. The improper handling allows an attacker to place malicious executables in locations that are prioritized during path resolution, effectively creating a man-in-the-middle scenario where legitimate system processes are replaced with malicious counterparts. This path hijacking technique exploits the Windows path search order, where the system resolves executables based on the PATH environment variable and current working directory precedence. The vulnerability specifically targets the Windows host operating system environment where VMware Workstation operates with elevated privileges, making the privilege escalation particularly dangerous as it allows users to execute arbitrary code with system-level access. This flaw directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Local Privilege Escalation' through the exploitation of system vulnerabilities, and T1548.002 which addresses 'Account Manipulation: Credentials In Files' in the context of system-level privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5511 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass significant security implications for VMware Workstation environments, particularly in enterprise and development settings where multiple users may have access to the same systems. Organizations running affected VMware Workstation versions face potential compromise of their entire virtualization infrastructure, as attackers who gain access to a low-privilege account can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with full system privileges. This creates a substantial risk for data integrity and confidentiality, as the elevated privileges allow attackers to access sensitive system files, modify virtual machine configurations, and potentially move laterally within the network. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where VMware Workstation is used for development, testing, or research purposes, as these scenarios often involve users with varying privilege levels who may not be properly isolated from each other. The impact is further amplified by the fact that the vulnerability does not require special privileges to exploit, making it accessible to any user who can interact with the VMware Workstation interface or execute system commands on the Windows host.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-5511 focus primarily on updating to the patched versions of VMware Workstation that address the path handling issues. Users should immediately upgrade to VMware Workstation 15.0.3 or later for version 15.x releases, and version 14.1.6 or later for 14.x releases to eliminate the vulnerability. System administrators should implement strict access controls and privilege management to limit user access to the Windows host system, particularly in shared development environments where multiple users have access to the same physical machine. The implementation of least privilege principles should be enforced, ensuring that users only have the minimum privileges necessary for their specific tasks. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their virtualization environments, including vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify similar path handling issues in other software components. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unauthorized access attempts and privilege escalation activities. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized binaries, particularly in environments where the vulnerability may still exist. The patching process should include thorough testing in staging environments to ensure compatibility with existing virtual machine configurations and workflows. Regular security awareness training should be conducted to educate users about the risks of running untrusted code and the importance of maintaining secure system configurations. Organizations should also implement continuous monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns consistent with privilege escalation attempts, providing early warning capabilities for potential exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.