CVE-2018-6981 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2018-6981 affecting VMware ESXi 6.7, 6.5, 6.0, Workstation 15, 14.1.3, Fusion 11, 10.1.3. Uninitialized stack memory usage allows guest code execution.
CVE-2018-6981, published on December 4, 2018, addresses a vulnerability in VMware ESXi, VMware Workstation, and VMware Fusion that could allow a guest to execute code on the host due to uninitialized stack memory usage in the vmxnet3 virtual network adapter.
Understanding CVE-2018-6981
This CVE highlights a security issue in VMware products that could lead to potential code execution by a guest on the host system.
What is CVE-2018-6981?
The vulnerability in the vmxnet3 virtual network adapter in VMware ESXi 6.7, 6.5, and 6.0, as well as VMware Workstation 15, 14.1.3 or earlier, and VMware Fusion 11, 10.1.3 or earlier, allows for uninitialized stack memory usage, creating a security risk.
The Impact of CVE-2018-6981
The uninitialized stack memory usage in the affected VMware products could enable a guest user to execute arbitrary code on the host system, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-6981
This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vmxnet3 virtual network adapter in the mentioned VMware products suffers from uninitialized stack memory usage, posing a risk of code execution by a guest on the host.
Affected Systems and Versions
- VMware ESXi 6.7 without ESXi670-201811401-BG
- VMware ESXi 6.5 without ESXi650-201811301-BG
- VMware ESXi 6.0 without ESXi600-201811401-BG
- VMware Workstation 15
- VMware Workstation 14.1.3 or below
- VMware Fusion 11
- VMware Fusion 10.1.3 or below
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability allows a guest user to exploit uninitialized stack memory in the vmxnet3 virtual network adapter, potentially executing malicious code on the host system.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from this vulnerability requires specific actions.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Install the applicable ESXi patches for VMware ESXi versions mentioned.
- Update VMware Workstation and VMware Fusion to the latest versions to address the issue.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update VMware products to ensure the latest security patches are applied.
- Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential security breaches.
Patching and Updates
Regularly check for and apply security updates and patches provided by VMware to address known vulnerabilities.