CVE-2019-5514 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A security flaw has been discovered in VMware Fusion (11.x before 11.0.3), allowing unauthorized operations on guest machines.

Understanding CVE-2019-5514

A vulnerability in VMware Fusion that enables attackers to exploit unauthenticated APIs through a web socket.

What is CVE-2019-5514?

The vulnerability in VMware Fusion (11.x before 11.0.3) allows attackers to run JavaScript code on the host user's machine, leading to unauthorized actions on guest machines.
Attackers can potentially execute commands on guest machines where VMware Tools are installed.

The Impact of CVE-2019-5514

Unauthorized access to guest machines can result in data theft, manipulation, or disruption of services.
Attackers can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of guest machine operations.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-5514

A security vulnerability in VMware Fusion (11.x before 11.0.3) due to unauthenticated APIs accessible through a web socket.

Vulnerability Description

Presence of specific unauthenticated APIs in VMware Fusion that can be accessed through a web socket.
Attackers can deceive host users into running JavaScript code, enabling unauthorized operations on guest machines.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: VMware Fusion
Vendor: VMware
Affected Version: 11.x before 11.0.3

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the vulnerability by tricking host users into executing JavaScript code, granting unauthorized access to guest machines.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take:

Update VMware Fusion to version 11.0.3 to patch the vulnerability.
Avoid executing untrusted JavaScript code on VMware Fusion. Long-Term Security Practices:
Regularly update software and security patches to prevent future vulnerabilities.
Educate users on the risks of executing untrusted code and practicing safe browsing habits.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Monitor and analyze network traffic for any suspicious activities.
Consider implementing additional security measures such as intrusion detection systems.

Patching and Updates

VMware has released version 11.0.3 to address the security vulnerability in VMware Fusion (11.x before 11.0.3).