CVE-2022-22983 in Workstation
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2022
VMware Workstation (16.x prior to 16.2.4) contains an unprotected storage of credentials vulnerability. A malicious actor with local user privileges to the victim machine may exploit this vulnerability leading to the disclosure of user passwords of the remote server connected through VMware Workstation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-22983 represents a critical security flaw in VMware Workstation versions 16.x prior to 16.2.4, specifically classified under CWE-259 as an "Use of Hard-coded Credentials" or more broadly as "Unprotected Storage of Credentials." This issue arises from the improper handling of authentication credentials within the virtualization platform, creating a persistent security risk for users who rely on VMware Workstation for remote server connections. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental weakness in credential management practices where sensitive authentication information is stored in an accessible format without adequate protection mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows a local attacker with user-level privileges to access stored credentials that are typically used for connecting to remote servers through the VMware Workstation interface. This flaw occurs at the application level where authentication tokens, passwords, or other credential material are persistently stored in a manner that bypasses normal security controls. The exploitation requires only local access to the victim machine, making it particularly concerning as it can be leveraged by adversaries who have already gained a foothold on the system through other attack vectors. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor for credential theft that operates at the operating system level, where the attacker can directly access the credential storage mechanisms used by VMware Workstation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments where VMware Workstation is commonly used for development, testing, and administrative tasks. The disclosure of user passwords can lead to unauthorized access to critical systems, potentially enabling lateral movement within networks and access to sensitive data repositories. Organizations that utilize VMware Workstation for connecting to production servers, databases, or cloud environments face substantial risk of credential compromise, which can result in data breaches, system compromise, and regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users share the same workstation or where administrators use the same credentials across multiple systems.
The exploitation of CVE-2022-22983 aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the credential access tactics where adversaries seek to obtain credentials through various means. This vulnerability represents an automated credential harvesting technique that can be combined with other attack methods to establish persistent access. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain where initial access may be achieved through phishing, remote desktop protocol attacks, or other means, followed by credential theft using this specific weakness in VMware Workstation. The vulnerability also intersects with privilege escalation techniques as compromised credentials can be used to elevate access levels within target systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating VMware Workstation to version 16.2.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the credential storage vulnerability. System administrators should also conduct thorough credential hygiene practices, including changing passwords for all accounts that may have been accessed through the vulnerable system. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation, monitoring for unusual credential access patterns, and employing multi-factor authentication where possible. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper credential management practices and the necessity of regular security updates to protect against known vulnerabilities in widely-used software platforms. Security teams should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify unauthorized access to credential storage areas within virtualization environments.