CVE-2023-34046 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

VMware Fusion(13.x prior to 13.5) contains a TOCTOU (Time-of-check Time-of-use) vulnerability that allows for local privilege escalation. Find out more about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2023-34046

This section covers the key details of the CVE-2023-34046 vulnerability affecting VMware Fusion.

What is CVE-2023-34046?

CVE-2023-34046 is a Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) vulnerability in VMware Fusion versions 13.x prior to 13.5. This vulnerability occurs during installation for the first time or when applying an upgrade. An attacker with local non-administrative user privileges can exploit this flaw to elevate their privileges to root on the system.

The Impact of CVE-2023-34046

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as MEDIUM severity. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges on a system where VMware Fusion is being installed or has been installed for the first time. The attack complexity is considered HIGH with low privileges required.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-34046

Learn more about the vulnerability specifics including its description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The TOCTOU vulnerability in VMware Fusion allows an attacker with local non-administrative user privileges to escalate their privileges to root during installation or upgrade process.

Affected Systems and Versions

VMware Fusion versions 13.x prior to 13.5 are affected by this vulnerability. Specifically, users with Fusion 13.x versions are at risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of this vulnerability requires the attacker to have local non-administrative user privileges and involves manipulating the installation or upgrade process of VMware Fusion.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover the immediate steps to take and long-term security practices to safeguard against CVE-2023-34046.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update VMware Fusion to version 13.5 or later to mitigate the vulnerability. Additionally, users should exercise caution during the installation of software and upgrades from untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement best practices such as regular software updates, avoiding downloading software from unknown sources, and monitoring system behavior for any suspicious activities to enhance overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Refer to VMware's security advisory VMSA-2023-0022 for detailed information on the vulnerability and available patches.