VMware ESXi/ESX up to 4.1 data pointers memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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9.7$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in VMware ESXi and ESX up to 4.1. This affects the function data pointers. The manipulation leads to memory corruption. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2012-1516. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is not any exploit available. It is suggested to install a patch to address this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in VMware ESXi and ESX up to 4.1 (Virtualization Software). This issue affects the function data pointers. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

The VMX process in VMware ESXi 3.5 through 4.1 and ESX 3.5 through 4.1 does not properly handle RPC commands, which allows guest OS users to cause a denial of service (memory overwrite and process crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code on the host OS via vectors involving data pointers.

The weakness was released 05/03/2012 by Derek Soeder with eEye as VMSA-2012-0009 as confirmed knowledge base article (Website). The advisory is shared at vmware.com. The public release was coordinated with VMware. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2012-1516 since 03/08/2012. The exploitation is known to be easy. An attack has to be approached locally. The successful exploitation needs a simple authentication. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 58977 (VMSA-2012-0009 : VMware Workstation, Player, Fusion, ESXi and ESX patches address critical security issues), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family VMware ESX Local Security Checks and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 216006 (VMWare ESXi 4.1.0 Patch ESXi410-Update02 Missing (KB2002338)).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. The upgrade is hosted for download at vmware.com. Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be patching the affected component. A possible mitigation has been published 1 days after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (75373), Tenable (58977), SecurityFocus (BID 53369†), SecurityTracker (ID 1027018†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-35059†). Entries connected to this vulnerability are available at VDB-5324, VDB-5322, VDB-5323 and VDB-5325. Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 9.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.7

VulDB Base Score: 9.9
VulDB Temp Score: 9.5
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 9.9
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 58977
Nessus Name: VMSA-2012-0009 : VMware Workstation, Player, Fusion, ESXi and ESX patches address critical security issues
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍
Nessus Port: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 103481
OpenVAS Name: VMSA-2012-0009 VMware Workstation, Player, ESXi and ESX patches address critical security issues
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Upgrade: vmware.com

Timelineinfo

03/08/2012 🔍
05/03/2012 +56 days 🔍
05/03/2012 +0 days 🔍
05/04/2012 +1 days 🔍
05/04/2012 +0 days 🔍
05/04/2012 +0 days 🔍
05/04/2012 +0 days 🔍
05/04/2012 +0 days 🔍
05/14/2012 +10 days 🔍
02/06/2025 +4651 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: vmware.com

Advisory: VMSA-2012-0009
Researcher: Derek Soeder
Organization: eEye
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍
Coordinated: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2012-1516 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2012-1516
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-5321

OVAL: 🔍
IAVM: 🔍

X-Force: 75373
SecurityFocus: 53369 - VMware Multiple Products Multiple Memory Corruption Privilege Escalation Vulnerabilities
SecurityTracker: 1027018
Vulnerability Center: 35059 - VMware ESXi \\ ESX \x27VMX\x27 Process Improper RPC Handling Allows Local DoS \\ Code Execution, High

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

Entryinfo

Created: 05/04/2012 18:07
Updated: 02/06/2025 01:59
Changes: 05/04/2012 18:07 (84), 05/16/2017 17:34 (16), 03/24/2021 09:50 (2), 02/06/2025 01:59 (16)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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