CVE-2018-6973 : Security Advisory and Response

VMware Workstation and Fusion versions 14.x before 14.1.3 and 10.x before 10.1.3 are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in the e1000 device, potentially allowing guest code execution on the host system.

Understanding CVE-2018-6973

This CVE involves a critical vulnerability in VMware Workstation and Fusion that could lead to code execution on the host system.

What is CVE-2018-6973?

The e1000 device in VMware Workstation (version 14.x before 14.1.3) and Fusion (version 10.x before 10.1.3) has an out-of-bounds write vulnerability. Exploiting this weakness could potentially enable a guest to execute code on the host system.

The Impact of CVE-2018-6973

Exploiting this vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the host system, compromising its security and potentially leading to further exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-6973

This section provides more in-depth technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in an out-of-bounds write issue in the e1000 device of VMware Workstation and Fusion, allowing unauthorized code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

VMware Workstation 14.x before 14.1.3
VMware Fusion 10.x before 10.1.3

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted data to the affected e1000 device, triggering the out-of-bounds write and potentially executing malicious code.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect systems from CVE-2018-6973, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the necessary security patches provided by VMware promptly.
Monitor VMware security advisories for updates and follow recommended actions.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update VMware Workstation and Fusion to the latest versions to ensure all security patches are applied.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

VMware has released patches to address this vulnerability. Ensure all affected systems are updated to versions 14.1.3 for Workstation and 10.1.3 for Fusion to mitigate the risk of exploitation.