VMware Workstation 4.0.1 Build 5289 on Linux symlink

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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5.9$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in VMware Workstation 4.0.1 Build 5289 on Linux and classified as problematic. This affects an unknown part. The manipulation leads to symlink. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2003-0739. There is not any exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in VMware Workstation 4.0.1 Build 5289 on Linux (Virtualization Software). This issue affects an unknown part. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a symlink vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-61. The product, when opening a file or directory, does not sufficiently account for when the file is a symbolic link that resolves to a target outside of the intended control sphere. This could allow an attacker to cause the product to operate on unauthorized files. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

VMware Workstation 4.0.1 for Linux, build 5289 and earlier, allows local users to delete arbitrary files via a symlink attack.

The bug was discovered 09/03/2003. The weakness was released 10/20/2003 by Paul Szabo (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at vmware.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2003-0739 since 09/03/2003. The exploitation is known to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available.

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 47 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $5k-$25k. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 115059 (VMware Workstation For Linux File Deletion Vulnerability).

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (13114), SecurityFocus (BID 8364†), OSVDB (8429†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-8296†). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Version

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.9

VulDB Base Score: 5.9
VulDB Temp Score: 5.9
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Symlink
CWE: CWE-61 / CWE-59
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

08/07/2003 🔍
08/07/2003 +0 days 🔍
09/03/2003 +27 days 🔍
09/03/2003 +0 days 🔍
10/20/2003 +47 days 🔍
10/20/2003 +0 days 🔍
06/12/2005 +601 days 🔍
08/15/2014 +3351 days 🔍
08/04/2025 +4007 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: vmware.com

Advisory: vmware.com
Researcher: Paul Szabo
Status: Not defined
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2003-0739 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2003-0739
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-20891
X-Force: 13114
SecurityFocus: 8364 - VMware Workstation For Linux File Deletion Vulnerability
OSVDB: 8429 - VMware Workstation For Linux - File Deletion Vulnerability
Vulnerability Center: 8296 - VMWare Workstation 4.0.1 Allows Deleting Arbitrary Files via Symlink Attack, Low

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20060413

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2014 14:38
Updated: 08/04/2025 14:13
Changes: 08/15/2014 14:38 (58), 06/04/2019 15:55 (6), 08/04/2025 14:13 (18)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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