CVE-2017-4898 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability has been identified in VMware Workstation Pro/Player 12.x versions before 12.5.3 that could allow regular users to elevate their privileges to System on the host machine.

Understanding CVE-2017-4898

This CVE involves a DLL loading vulnerability in VMware Workstation Pro/Player.

What is CVE-2017-4898?

The vulnerability arises from the "vmware-vmx" process loading DLLs from a specific path defined in the local environment-variable.
Successful exploitation could enable regular users to escalate their privileges to System on the host machine.

The Impact of CVE-2017-4898

Regular users could gain elevated privileges to System on the host machine where VMware Workstation is installed.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-4898

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

VMware Workstation Pro/Player 12.x before 12.5.3 contains a DLL loading vulnerability due to the "vmware-vmx" process loading DLLs from a path defined in the local environment-variable.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Workstation Pro/Player
Vendor: VMware
Versions Affected: 12.x prior to version 12.5.3

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating DLLs loaded by the "vmware-vmx" process.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-4898 is crucial for maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update VMware Workstation Pro/Player to version 12.5.3 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unauthorized system access or privilege escalation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update environment-variable paths to prevent DLL loading vulnerabilities.
Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user permissions.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from VMware and promptly apply patches to address known vulnerabilities.