#VU54314 Unquoted Search Path or Element in VMware, Inc products - CVE-2021-21999

Vulnerability identifier: #VU54314

Vulnerability 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

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

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

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

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

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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.