CVE-2017-4916 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

VMware Workstation Pro/Player contains a vulnerability that can lead to a denial-of-service due to a NULL pointer dereference in the vstor2 driver.

Understanding CVE-2017-4916

This CVE involves a vulnerability in VMware Workstation Pro/Player that could be exploited to cause a denial-of-service on a Windows host machine.

What is CVE-2017-4916?

The vulnerability in the vstor2 driver of VMware Workstation Pro/Player could allow users with normal privileges on a Windows host machine to trigger a denial-of-service by exploiting a NULL pointer dereference.

The Impact of CVE-2017-4916

If successfully exploited, this vulnerability could enable attackers to disrupt the normal operation of a Windows host machine, leading to a denial-of-service condition.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-4916

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in VMware Workstation Pro/Player involves a NULL pointer dereference in the vstor2 driver, potentially leading to a denial-of-service.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Workstation Pro/Player
Vendor: VMware
Affected Versions: All 12.x versions prior to version 12.5.6

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with normal user privileges on a Windows host machine could exploit the vulnerability in the vstor2 driver to cause a denial-of-service.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-4916, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update VMware Workstation Pro/Player to version 12.5.6 or later.
Monitor for any unusual system behavior that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access and minimize the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from VMware and promptly apply recommended patches to secure your systems.