VMware Issues Security Advisory for Guest-to-Host Escape Vulnerability (CVE-2018-6981)
VMware issued an advisory about two uninitialized stack memory usage bugs and has released patches and updates for some versions of the affected software.
Background
On November 9, VMware published a security advisory to address a Guest-to-Host Escape vulnerability affecting VMware ESXi, Workstation and Fusion. The vulnerability was discovered and released by a security researcher at GeekPwn 2018, an annual security conference in Shanghai, China which took place in late October 2018. The researcher reported the vulnerability to VMware through GeekPwn.
Source: @ChaitinTech on Twitter.
Vulnerability details
According to VMware’s Security Advisory, Zhangyanyu of Chaitin Tech reported two uninitialized stack memory usage bugs (CVE-2018-6981 and CVE-2018-6982) in the vmxnet3 virtual network adapter used in VMware. VMware notes that the vulnerability does not affect non-vmxnet3 virtual network adapters.
Exploitation of CVE-2018-6981 can lead to a guest-to-host escape, allowing the guest to execute code on the host, while exploitation of CVE-2018-6982 can lead to information disclosure from host to guest. In a tweet that includes a video demonstration of the exploit, Chaitin Tech asserts that this is the first time that anyone has escaped VMware EXSi and obtained a root shell on the host.
Urgently required actions
VMware’s Security Advisory includes patch availability details for consumers and businesses. Tenable’s Security Response team strongly encourages patching VMware ESXi versions and upgrading VMware Workstation and VMware Fusion using the table below:
Source: VMware Security Advisory
Identifying affected systems
A list of Tenable plugins to identify this vulnerability will appear here as they’re released.
Get more information
Learn more about Tenable, the first Cyber Exposure platform for holistic management of your modern attack surface. Get a free 60-day trial of Tenable.io Vulnerability Management.
Related Articles
Volt Typhoon: U.S. Critical Infrastructure Targeted by State-Sponsored Actors
November 19, 2024Volt Typhoon, a state-sponsored actor linked to the People’s Republic of China, has consistently targeted U.S. critical infrastructure with the intent to maintain persistent access. Tenable Research examines the tactics, techniques and procedures of this threat actor.
CVE-2024-0012, CVE-2024-9474: Zero-Day Vulnerabilities in Palo Alto PAN-OS Exploited In The Wild
November 18, 2024Palo Alto Networks confirmed two zero-day vulnerabilities were exploited as part of attacks in the wild against PAN-OS devices, with one being attributed to Operation Lunar Peek.
Microsoft’s November 2024 Patch Tuesday Addresses 87 CVEs (CVE-2024-43451, CVE-2024-49039)
November 12, 2024Microsoft addresses 87 CVEs and one advisory (ADV240001) in its November 2024 Patch Tuesday release, with four critical vulnerabilities and four zero-day vulnerabilities, including two that were exploited in the wild.
Active Directory Under Attack: Five Eyes Guidance Targets Crucial Security Gaps
November 21, 2024A landmark global report from cybersecurity agencies emphasizes 17 attack techniques against Microsoft Active Directory and cautions organizations to step up protections. In the first of our two-part series, we offer five steps you can take today to shore up your AD defenses.
Five Cyber Agencies Sound Alarm About Active Directory Attacks: Beyond the Basics
November 21, 2024A landmark global report emphasizes 17 attack techniques against Microsoft Active Directory and cautions organizations to step up protections. In the second of our two-part series, we take you beyond the basics to highlight three key areas to focus on.
Volt Typhoon: What State and Local Government Officials Need to Know
November 19, 2024Increased activity from the state-sponsored threat group Volt Typhoon raises concerns about the cybersecurity of U.S. critical infrastructure. Here’s how you can identify potential exposures and attack paths.
- Vulnerability Management
- Vulnerability Scanning