CVE-2020-3982 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Learn about CVE-2020-3982 affecting VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion products. Find out how this out-of-bounds write vulnerability can be exploited and steps to mitigate the risk.
VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could allow a malicious actor to crash virtual machines or corrupt the hypervisor's memory heap.
Understanding CVE-2020-3982
This CVE identifies a critical vulnerability in VMware products that could be exploited by attackers with administrative access to virtual machines.
What is CVE-2020-3982?
CVE-2020-3982 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in 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), and Fusion (11.x before 11.5.6) due to a time-of-check time-of-use issue in ACPI device.
The Impact of CVE-2020-3982
The vulnerability could allow an attacker to crash virtual machines' vmx process or corrupt the hypervisor's memory heap, potentially leading to system instability or unauthorized access.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-3982
This section provides more in-depth technical information about the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises from an out-of-bounds write issue in ACPI device handling within VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion products.
Affected Systems and Versions
- VMware ESXi 7.0, 6.7, and 6.5 before specific patch versions
- Workstation versions 15.x
- Fusion versions 11.x before 11.5.6
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers with administrative access to a virtual machine can exploit this vulnerability to manipulate memory and potentially disrupt system operations.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2020-3982 requires immediate action and long-term security measures.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the necessary security patches provided by VMware promptly.
- Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities that could indicate exploitation.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Restrict administrative access to virtual machines to trusted users only.
- Regularly update and patch VMware products to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all affected VMware products are updated to the latest patched versions to eliminate the vulnerability and enhance system security.