CVE-2021-22040 : What You Need to Know

VMware ESXi, Workstation, Fusion, and Cloud Foundation are affected by a use-after-free vulnerability in the XHCI USB controller, allowing local administrative privilege escalation on virtual machines.

Understanding CVE-2021-22040

This CVE identifies a critical security issue impacting VMware's virtualization products, potentially enabling unauthorized code execution within virtual machines.

What is CVE-2021-22040?

CVE-2021-22040 is a use-after-free vulnerability found in VMware ESXi, Workstation, Fusion, and Cloud Foundation. It allows a threat actor with local administrative rights on a virtual machine to run malicious code as the virtual machine's VMX process on the host.

The Impact of CVE-2021-22040

The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized code execution within the virtual environment, posing a significant security risk to data confidentiality and system integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-22040

This section delves deeper into the specifics of the vulnerability, including affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanisms.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a use-after-free flaw in the XHCI USB controller of VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion products, allowing malicious actors to execute arbitrary code.

Affected Systems and Versions

The impacted versions include VMware ESXi 6.5, 6.7, and 7.0 (prior to specified updates), Workstation 16.x (pre-16.2.1), Fusion 12.x (pre-12.2.1), VMware Cloud Foundation 3.x (pre-3.11), and 4.x (pre-4.4).

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting this vulnerability, a threat actor with local administrative privileges on a virtual machine can execute arbitrary code within the VMX process, compromising the host system's security.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from the risks associated with CVE-2021-22040, immediate actions and long-term security practices are essential.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is recommended to apply relevant security patches and updates provided by VMware to address this vulnerability promptly. Additionally, limit access to virtual machines to authorized personnel only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust access controls, conduct regular security audits, and stay vigilant against potential security threats to mitigate risks associated with similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security advisories from VMware and apply patches to keep the virtual environment secure against known vulnerabilities.