CVE-2019-5542 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Learn about CVE-2019-5542, a denial-of-service vulnerability in VMware Workstation and Fusion versions 15.x before 15.5.1 and 11.x before 11.5.1. Find out the impact, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation steps.
VMware Workstation and Fusion versions 15.x before 15.5.1 and 11.x before 11.5.1 contain a denial-of-service vulnerability in the RPC handler. Attackers with regular user privileges can exploit this vulnerability to disrupt their own virtual machines.
Understanding CVE-2019-5542
This CVE involves a denial-of-service vulnerability in VMware Workstation and Fusion versions prior to specified updates.
What is CVE-2019-5542?
CVE-2019-5542 is a vulnerability in VMware Workstation and Fusion that allows attackers with normal user privileges to cause a denial-of-service situation on their virtual machines.
The Impact of CVE-2019-5542
If successfully exploited, this vulnerability can lead to a denial-of-service condition where attackers can disrupt the normal functioning of their virtual machines.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-5542
This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability exists in the RPC handler of VMware Workstation and Fusion versions 15.x before 15.5.1 and 11.x before 11.5.1.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Workstation and Fusion
- Vendor: VMware
- Versions: Workstation (15.x before 15.5.1) and Fusion (11.x before 11.5.1)
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers with regular user privileges can exploit this vulnerability to disrupt the normal operation of their virtual machines.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2019-5542 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the necessary security updates provided by VMware to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Monitor for any unusual activities on the affected systems.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update VMware Workstation and Fusion to the latest versions to prevent vulnerabilities.
- Implement least privilege access to limit the impact of potential attacks.
- Conduct security training for users to recognize and report suspicious activities.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that VMware Workstation and Fusion are regularly updated with the latest security patches to address known vulnerabilities.