CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2022-31676NVD status: Modified

VMware Tools: Improper Privilege Management

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2022-31676 is a high-severity improper privilege management vulnerability in VMware Tools, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected VMware Tools versions: VMware Tools (12.0.0, 11.x.y and 10.x.y). The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.55% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Tools to 12.1.0 or 10.3.25, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  2. Read the advisory on vmware.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
VMware ToolsVMware ToolsVMware Tools (12.0.0, 11.x.y and 10.x.y)Not stated
VMwareTools10.0.0 up to, but not including, 12.1.0; 10.0.0 up to, but not including, 10.3.25; 11.0.0 up to, but not including, 12.1.012.1.0, 10.3.25
DebianDebian Linux10.0; 11.0Not stated
Fedora ProjectFedora36; 37Not stated
NetAppOntap Select Deploy Administration UtilityNot specified in the recordNot stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Official description

VMware Tools (12.0.0, 11.x.y and 10.x.y) contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability. A malicious actor with local non-administrative access to the Guest OS can escalate privileges as a root user in the virtual machine.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Privilege Management

The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
  • Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to entities in a software system.
  • Consider following the principle of separation of privilege. Require multiple conditions to be met before permitting access to a system resource.

More Improper Privilege Management vulnerabilities (CWE-269)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Patches and release notes

Third-party and government advisories

Other vulnerabilities in VMware Tools

All VMware Tools vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Privilege Management vulnerabilities

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