CVE-2021-2282 in VM VirtualBox
Summary
by MITRE • 04/23/2021
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox product of Oracle Virtualization (component: Core). The supported version that is affected is Prior to 6.1.20. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated 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 unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all Oracle VM VirtualBox accessible data. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 7.1 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-2282 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle VM VirtualBox's core component that affects versions prior to 6.1.20. This vulnerability operates at the infrastructure level where VirtualBox executes, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal privileges for exploitation. The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.1 indicates a high-severity threat with a base score reflecting significant confidentiality impact. The attack vector is classified as local access (AV:L) meaning an attacker must already have logon access to the system hosting VirtualBox, but this access requirement does not prevent exploitation given the severity of potential outcomes. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable suggests that the attack surface is broad and the implementation flaw is straightforward to leverage.
This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation or processing within VirtualBox's core architecture, creating a pathway for attackers to bypass normal access controls and gain unauthorized access to sensitive virtual machine data. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond the immediate VirtualBox environment as indicated by the CVSS vector's scope change (S:C) which suggests that successful exploitation could affect additional products or systems within the broader virtualization infrastructure. The confidentiality impact rating of high (C:H) demonstrates that attackers could potentially access critical data or achieve complete access to all data accessible through VirtualBox, making this a particularly concerning vulnerability for organizations relying on virtualization technologies. The vulnerability's location within the core component means that any exploitation could compromise fundamental virtualization operations and data integrity.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-2282 extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to manipulate virtual machine configurations, access virtualized applications, and potentially establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) and CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) classifications, representing both insufficient validation of input parameters and inadequate protection mechanisms. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that VirtualBox installations often run on systems with elevated privileges and may host sensitive enterprise data. Organizations utilizing older VirtualBox versions face significant risk of data breaches, as the vulnerability allows for unauthorized access to virtual machine storage and configuration files that may contain confidential information. The lack of user interaction requirements (UI:N) and the minimal privilege requirements (PR:N) further compound the threat, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability without requiring additional authentication or complex attack chains.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patch deployment to versions 6.1.20 and later, which address the core validation and access control issues. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, particularly by restricting direct access to systems hosting VirtualBox installations. Regular security assessments of virtualization environments are essential to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other components of the virtualization stack. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, making it important for security teams to monitor for suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing virtual machine integrity checking mechanisms and monitoring for unauthorized configuration changes that could indicate successful exploitation of this vulnerability.