Technical Description

Multiple vulnerabilities have been identified in VMware Server and Workstation, which could be exploited by attackers or malicious users to bypass security restrictions, cause a denial of service, or obtain elevated privileges.

The first issue is caused by errors in OpenSSL. For additional information, see : VUPEN/ADV-2006-3453 - VUPEN/ADV-2006-3820

The second vulnerability is caused by an error in "authd" when connecting to a named pipe, which could be exploited by a malicious user to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges by causing the "authd" process to connect to a named pipe that is opened and controlled by the attacker.

The third issue is caused by an error when handling insecurely created named pipe objects, which could be exploited by malicious users to gain elevated privileges or cause a denial of service.

The fourth issue is caused by errors in libpng. For additional information, see : VUPEN/ADV-2007-3391 - VUPEN/ADV-2007-3390

The fifth vulnerability is caused by an error in the shared folders feature. For additional information, see : VUPEN/ADV-2008-0679

The sixth issue is caused by insecure permissions being set on the "config.ini" file, which could be exploited by unprivileged users to bypass security restrictions or gain elevated privileges by manipulating the VMX launch or full path.

The seventh vulnerability is caused by an unspecified error that could allow anonymous console access to the guest by means of the VIX API.

The eighth issue is caused by errors in certain services being improperly registered on Windows 2000 hosted products, which could be exploited by malicious users to gain elevated privileges.

The ninth vulnerability is caused by an error in the DHCP service, which could be exploited to cause a denial of service.

The tenth issue is caused by a memory corruption error in the Virtual Machine Communication Interface (VMCI), which could be exploited to cause a denial of service.

Affected Products

VMware Workstation version 6.0.2 and prior
VMware Workstation version 5.5.4 and prior
VMware Player version 2.0.2 and prior
VMware Player version 1.0.4 and prior
VMware ACE version 2.0.2 and prior
VMware ACE version 1.0.2 and prior
VMware Server version 1.0.4 and prior
VMware Fusion version 1.1 and prior

Solution

Upgrade to VMware Server version 1.0.5, VMware Workstation version 6.0.3 or 5.5.5, VMware ACE version 2.0.3 or 1.0.5, VMware Fusion version 1.1.1, and VMware Player version 2.0.3 or 1.0.6 :
http://www.vmware.com/download/

References

http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/0905
http://lists.vmware.com/pipermail/security-announce/2008/000008.html

Credits

Vulnerabilities reported by the vendor, CORE Security Technologies, Sun Bing, Ray Hicken, David Maciejak, Martin O'Neal, and Andrew Honig (Department of Defense).

ChangeLog

2008-03-17 : Initial release
2008-03-18 : Updated Advisory

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