Privilege escalation in several VMware products



| Updated: 2021-06-25
Risk Low
Patch available YES
Number of vulnerabilities 1
CVE-ID CVE-2021-21999
CWE-ID CWE-428
Exploitation vector Local
Public exploit N/A
Vulnerable software
 VMware Tools
Client/Desktop applications / Other client software

VMRC
Client/Desktop applications / Software for system administration

VMware App Volumes
Client/Desktop applications / Software for system administration

Vendor VMware, Inc

Security Bulletin

This security bulletin contains one low risk vulnerability.

1) Unquoted Search Path or Element

EUVDB-ID: #VU54314

Risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 5.8 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2021-21999

CWE-ID: CWE-428 - Unquoted Search Path or Element

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to uncontrolled search path within the VGAuthService service when validating a user-supplied OpenSSL configuration file prior to using it. A local user can supply a specially crafted file to execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM.

Mitigation

Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

VMware Tools: 10.0.0 - 11.2.5

VMRC: 12.0.0

VMware App Volumes: 2.0 - 4.0.0.105

CPE2.3 External links

https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2021-0013.html
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-754/


Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.



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