VMWare Vulnerabilities Could Allow for Information Disclosure

Fortify Security Team
May 25, 2021

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in VMware Workstation Pro and VMware Horizon Client for Windows that could result in information disclosure. VMware Workstation Pro is a hosted hypervisor that enables users to set up virtual machines (VMs) and use them simultaneously with the host machine. VMware Horizon is a desktop and app virtualization product. Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to obtain sensitive data.

THREAT INTELLIGENCE:

There are currently no reports of these vulnerabilities being exploited in the wild.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED:

  • Horizon Client for Windows versions prior to 5.5.2
  • VMware Workstation Pro version prior to 16.1.2

RISK:
Government:

  • Large and medium government entities: High
  • Small government: Medium

Businesses:

  • Large and medium business entities: High
  • Small business entities: Medium

Home users: Low

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in VMware Workstation Pro and VMware Horizon Client for Windows that could result in information disclosure. These VMware products are prone to multiple security vulnerabilities due to multiple out-of-bounds read errors in the Cortado ThinPrint component. Specifically, these issues exists in the ‘TTC’ and ‘JPEG2000’ parsers. An attacker with normal access to a virtual machine or remote desktop can exploit this issue to obtain sensitive information from the ‘TPView’ process running on the system. Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to obtain sensitive data.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

We recommend the following actions be taken:

  • Apply appropriate updates provided by VMware to vulnerable systems immediately after appropriate testing.
  • Disable virtual printing on the client side.
  • Run all software as a non-privileged user (one without administrative privileges) to diminish the effects of a successful attack.
  • Remind users not to visit un-trusted websites or follow links provided by unknown or un-trusted sources.
  • Inform and educate users regarding the threats posed by hypertext links contained in emails or attachments especially from un-trusted sources.
  • Apply the Principle of Least Privilege to all systems and services.

REFERENCES:
VMware:
https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2021-0009.html

Cybersecurity Help:
https://www.cybersecurity-help.cz/vdb/SB2021052406

CVE:
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21987
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21988
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21989

Recent Posts

Mozilla Products Could Allow for Arbitrary Code Execution

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Mozilla Firefox and Mozilla Thunderbird, the most severe of which could allow for arbitrary code execution. Mozilla Firefox is a web browser used to access the Internet. Mozilla Firefox ESR is a version of the web...

Apple Products Could Allow for Arbitrary Code Execution

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Apple Products, the most severe of which could allow for arbitrary code execution. macOS Ventura is the 19th and current major release of macOS iOS is a mobile operating system for mobile devices, including the iPhone,...

Citrix ADC and Gateway Could Allow for Authentication Bypass

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Citrix ADC and Gateway, the most severe of which could allow for Authentication Bypass. Citrix ADC and Gateway is an Application Delivery Controller and a gateway service to products respectively. Successful...