CVE-2017-16873 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE involves a vulnerability in vagrant-vmware-fusion versions 4.0.25 to 5.0.4 that could allow an attacker to escalate privileges to root level.

Understanding CVE-2017-16873

This CVE was published on March 29, 2018, by MITRE.

What is CVE-2017-16873?

An unsanitized PATH in the suid binary of vagrant-vmware-fusion versions 4.0.25 to 5.0.4 could be exploited to elevate privileges to root level.

The Impact of CVE-2017-16873

Exploiting this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized escalation of privileges, potentially allowing an attacker to gain full control over the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-16873

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from an unsanitized PATH in the suid binary of vagrant-vmware-fusion versions 4.0.25 to 5.0.4, enabling privilege escalation to root level.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: vagrant-vmware-fusion
Versions: 4.0.25 to 5.0.4

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation involves manipulating the unsanitized PATH in the suid binary to gain elevated privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-16873 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update vagrant-vmware-fusion to a patched version that addresses the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities indicating exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches promptly.
Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict unnecessary access.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems running vagrant-vmware-fusion are updated with the latest patches to mitigate the vulnerability.