VMware Workstation and Fusion Network Address Translation Service Use-After-Free Vulnerability
A vulnerability in the VMware Network Address Translation (NAT) service feature of VMware Workstation and Fusion could allow an authenticated, remote attacker on a guest system to execute arbitrary code on the host system.
The vulnerability is due to improper processing of IPv6 packets by the VMware NAT service of the affected software. An attacker on a guest system could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted IPv6 packets to the targeted system. An exploit could trigger a use-after-free condition that the attacker could use to execute arbitrary code on the host system.
VMware has confirmed the vulnerability and released software updates.
CVE Number – CVE-2017-4949
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must have access to a guest system to send malicious IPv6 packets to the targeted host system. This access requirement may reduce the likelihood of a successful exploit.
For a successful exploit to occur, IPv6 mode must be enabled on systems running an affected software version. By default, IPv6 mode for VMware NAT service is not enabled.
Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate updates.
Administrators are advised to allow only trusted users to have network access.
Administrators are advised to monitor affected systems.
Affected Products
VMware Fusion – 8.1 (.0, .1) | 8.0 (.0, .0.1, .0.2, .1, .2) | 8.5 (.0, .1, .2, .3, .4, .5, .6, .7, .8, .9) | 10.0 (.0, .1) | 10.1 (.0)
VMware Workstation Player – 12.1 (.0, .1) | 12.0 (.0, .1) | 12.5 (.0, .1, .2, .3, .4, .5, .6, .7, .8) | 14.0 (.0) | 14.1 (.0)
VMware Workstation Pro – 12.0 (.0, .1) | 12.1 (.0, .1) | 12.5 (.0, .1, .2, .3, .4, .5, .6, .7, .8) | 14.0 (.0) | 14.1 (.0)
VMware has released a security advisory at the following link: VMSA-2018-0005
VMware has released software updates at the following links:
Duncan is a technology professional with over 20 years experience of working in various IT roles. He has a interest in cyber security, and has a wide range of other skills in radio, electronics and telecommunications.