CVE-2021-22045 : What You Need to Know

A heap-overflow vulnerability was discovered in VMware ESXi, VMware Workstation, and VMware Fusion, allowing a malicious actor to execute code on the hypervisor from a virtual machine.

Understanding CVE-2021-22045

This vulnerability affects VMware ESXi (7.0, 6.7 before ESXi670-202111101-SG and 6.5 before ESXi650-202110101-SG), VMware Workstation (16.2.0), and VMware Fusion (12.2.0).

What is CVE-2021-22045?

CVE-2021-22045 is a heap-overflow vulnerability in CD-ROM device emulation in VMware ESXi, VMware Workstation, and VMware Fusion. It allows an unauthorized user to execute arbitrary code on the hypervisor from within a virtual machine.

The Impact of CVE-2021-22045

A malicious actor with access to a virtual machine with CD-ROM device emulation enabled can exploit this vulnerability, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution on the hypervisor. This could result in a complete compromise of the virtualized environment.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-22045

This section outlines the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability exists in the CD-ROM device emulation of VMware ESXi, VMware Workstation, and VMware Fusion, enabling a heap-overflow attack that may lead to arbitrary code execution on the hypervisor.

Affected Systems and Versions

VMware ESXi versions 7.0, 6.7 (before ESXi670-202111101-SG), and 6.5 (before ESXi650-202110101-SG), along with VMware Workstation version 16.2.0 and VMware Fusion version 12.2.0 are impacted by CVE-2021-22045.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker with access to a virtual machine configured with CD-ROM device emulation can exploit this vulnerability, potentially gaining code execution capabilities on the hypervisor.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard your systems, consider implementing the following measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update VMware ESXi, VMware Workstation, and VMware Fusion to the latest patched versions that address the vulnerability.
Disable CD-ROM device emulation in virtual machines to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor VMware security advisories and apply patches promptly.
Implement least privilege access control to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that you stay informed about security updates released by VMware and apply them in a timely manner to protect your virtualized environment.