CVE-2023-34045 : What You Need to Know

VMware Fusion installer local privilege escalation vulnerability in VMware Fusion(13.x prior to 13.5) allows a local non-administrative user to escalate privileges to root during installation. Learn about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2023-34045

This section will delve into what CVE-2023-34045 is, its impact, technical details, and how to mitigate the vulnerability.

What is CVE-2023-34045?

CVE-2023-34045 involves a local privilege escalation vulnerability in VMware Fusion during installation, enabling unauthorized users to gain root privileges on the system.

The Impact of CVE-2023-34045

The vulnerability in VMware Fusion(13.x prior to 13.5) poses a medium-severity risk, allowing local non-administrative users to elevate their privileges to root, potentially leading to unauthorized system access or malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-34045

Explore the specific technical aspects of the CVE-2023-34045 vulnerability, including the description, affected systems and versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

VMware Fusion(13.x prior to 13.5) contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability that triggers during installation or upgrades. Malicious actors with local non-administrative user privileges can exploit the flaw to elevate their permissions to root.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects VMware Fusion version 13.x up to version 13.5 on MacOS platforms.

Exploitation Mechanism

The privilege escalation vulnerability occurs when the user is installing VMware Fusion for the first time by dragging or copying the application to a folder from the '.dmg' volume or during an upgrade process.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover the crucial steps to mitigate the CVE-2023-34045 vulnerability and enhance the overall security posture.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their VMware Fusion to version 13.5 or above to patch the vulnerability and prevent potential privilege escalation attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing the principle of least privilege, regularly updating software, and being cautious while installing applications can enhance the long-term security resilience of systems.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from VMware and promptly apply patches and updates to address known vulnerabilities and protect systems from exploitation.