CVE-2024-10228 in Vagrant
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2024
The Vagrant VMWare Utility Windows installer targeted a custom location with a non-protected path that could be modified by an unprivileged user, introducing potential for unauthorized file system writes. This vulnerability, CVE-2024-10228, was fixed in Vagrant VMWare Utility 1.0.23
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2024-10228 represents a critical path traversal and privilege escalation issue within the Vagrant VMWare Utility Windows installer. This flaw specifically targeted a custom installation location where the installer did not properly validate or secure the directory path, creating an exploitable condition that allowed unprivileged users to manipulate the installation process. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient permission controls during the installation phase, which is a fundamental security weakness that violates basic principles of secure software deployment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insecure direct object reference and improper access control. When the Vagrant VMWare Utility installer executed, it relied on a configurable installation path that was not adequately protected against modification by users without appropriate privileges. This creates a scenario where an attacker with minimal system access could potentially redirect installation files to arbitrary locations or modify existing files within the target directory. The flaw essentially allows for unauthorized file system writes through a path manipulation attack vector that falls under CWE-276, which specifically addresses improper file permissions and inadequate access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-10228 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and supply chain attacks. An unprivileged user who can manipulate the installation path could potentially inject malicious code into the installed components, creating a persistent backdoor or executing arbitrary commands with elevated privileges. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Vagrant VMWare Utility installations are common, as it could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to virtual machine environments and potentially compromise the broader network infrastructure. The attack surface is further expanded when considering that this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a multi-stage attack, aligning with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and persistence tactics.
The remediation for this vulnerability required the Vagrant VMWare Utility team to implement proper path validation and access control measures during the installation process. Version 1.0.23 introduced enhanced security controls that ensure installation paths are properly validated and protected against unauthorized modification. This fix aligns with industry best practices for secure installation processes and represents a critical improvement in the software's security posture. Organizations should prioritize updating to version 1.0.23 or later to mitigate the risk of exploitation, as the vulnerability could be easily leveraged by threat actors with basic system access. The fix demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input validation and access control mechanisms in installer components, particularly when dealing with system-level installations that may require elevated privileges.