CVE-2020-3981 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2020-3981, an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion, allowing memory leakage. Find mitigation steps and necessary updates here.
VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could allow a malicious actor to leak memory from the vmx process.
Understanding CVE-2020-3981
What is CVE-2020-3981?
CVE-2020-3981 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion due to a time-of-check time-of-use issue in the ACPI device.
The Impact of CVE-2020-3981
This vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker with administrative access to a virtual machine to leak memory from the vmx process.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-3981
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion allows for an out-of-bounds read due to a time-of-check time-of-use issue in the ACPI device.
Affected Systems and Versions
- VMware ESXi (7.0 before ESXi_7.0.1-0.0.16850804, 6.7 before ESXi670-202008101-SG, 6.5 before ESXi650-202007101-SG)
- Workstation (15.x)
- Fusion (11.x before 11.5.6)
Exploitation Mechanism
A malicious actor with administrative access to a virtual machine can exploit this vulnerability to leak memory from the vmx process.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the necessary security patches provided by VMware.
- Monitor for any unusual activities on the affected systems.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch all software and systems.
- Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict administrative access.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion are updated to the latest versions to mitigate the vulnerability.