CVE-2020-3971 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2020-3971 affecting VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion. Discover the impact, affected systems, and mitigation steps for this critical heap overflow vulnerability.
VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion are affected by a heap overflow vulnerability in the vmxnet3 virtual network adapter, potentially allowing unauthorized access to privileged information.
Understanding CVE-2020-3971
This CVE identifies a critical security issue in VMware products that could be exploited by a local attacker to access sensitive data.
What is CVE-2020-3971?
The vulnerability in VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion arises from a heap overflow in the vmxnet3 virtual network adapter, enabling a malicious actor with local access to a virtual machine to read privileged information from physical memory.
The Impact of CVE-2020-3971
The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, potentially compromising the security and confidentiality of affected systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-3971
This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.
Vulnerability Description
The heap overflow vulnerability in the vmxnet3 virtual network adapter of VMware ESXi (6.7, 6.5), Workstation (15.x), and Fusion (11.x) allows local attackers to read privileged information from physical memory.
Affected Systems and Versions
- VMware ESXi 6.7 before ESXi670-201904101-SG and 6.5 before ESXi650-201907101-SG
- Workstation 15.x before 15.0.2
- Fusion 11.x before 11.0.2
Exploitation Mechanism
A malicious actor with local access to a virtual machine with a vmxnet3 network adapter can exploit the vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to privileged information stored in physical memory.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2020-3971 involves immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply security patches provided by VMware promptly
- Monitor and restrict access to virtual machines with vulnerable network adapters
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch VMware products to address security vulnerabilities
- Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potential attacks
Patching and Updates
- VMware has released patches to address the heap overflow vulnerability in affected products
- Ensure all VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion installations are updated to the latest secure versions