high
8.8
CWE
119
Advisory Published
Updated

CVE-2017-4941: Buffer Overflow

First published: Wed Dec 20 2017(Updated: )

VMware ESXi (6.0 before ESXi600-201711101-SG, 5.5 ESXi550-201709101-SG), Workstation (12.x before 12.5.8), and Fusion (8.x before 8.5.9) contain a vulnerability that could allow an authenticated VNC session to cause a stack overflow via a specific set of VNC packets. Successful exploitation of this issue could result in remote code execution in a virtual machine via the authenticated VNC session. Note: In order for exploitation to be possible in ESXi, VNC must be manually enabled in a virtual machine's .vmx configuration file. In addition, ESXi must be configured to allow VNC traffic through the built-in firewall.

Credit: security@vmware.com

Affected SoftwareAffected VersionHow to fix
VMware Fusion Pro>=8.0.0<8.5.9
Apple iOS and macOS
VMware Workstation>=12.0.0<12.5.8
VMware ESXi=5.5
VMware ESXi=5.5-550-20170901001s
VMware ESXi=5.5-550-20170904001
VMware ESXi=6.0
VMware ESXi=6.0-1
VMware ESXi=6.0-1a
VMware ESXi=6.0-1b
VMware ESXi=6.0-2
VMware ESXi=6.0-3
VMware ESXi=6.0-3a
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201504401
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201505401
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201507101
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201507102
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201507401
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201507402
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201507403
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201507404
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201507405
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201507406
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201507407
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201509101
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201509102
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201509201
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201509202
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201509203
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201509204
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201509205
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201509206
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201509207
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201509208
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201509209
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201509210
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201510401
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201511401
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201601101
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201601102
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201601401
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201601402
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201601403
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201601404
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201601405
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201602401
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201603101
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201603102
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201603201
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201603202
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201603203
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201603204
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201603205
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201603206
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201603207
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201603208
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201605401
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201608101
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201608401
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201608402
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201608403
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201608404
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201608405
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201610410
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201611401
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201611402
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201611403
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201702101
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201702102
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201702201
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201702202
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201702203
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201702204
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201702205
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201702206
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201702207
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201702208
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201702209
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201702210
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201702211
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201702212
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201703401
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201706101
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201706102
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201706103
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201706401
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201706402
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201706403
VMware ESXi=6.0-600-201710301

Remedy

https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2017-0021.html

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Reference Links

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the severity of CVE-2017-4941?

    CVE-2017-4941 is classified with a high severity due to the potential for remote code execution through a stack overflow.

  • How do I fix CVE-2017-4941?

    To resolve CVE-2017-4941, ensure that your VMware ESXi, Workstation, or Fusion is updated to the latest patched versions.

  • Which VMware products are affected by CVE-2017-4941?

    CVE-2017-4941 affects VMware ESXi 5.5 and 6.0, Workstation 12.x, and Fusion 8.x prior to specified patch levels.

  • What kind of attack does CVE-2017-4941 facilitate?

    CVE-2017-4941 allows an authenticated user to perform a stack overflow attack via specially crafted VNC packets.

  • Is CVE-2017-4941 a local or remote vulnerability?

    CVE-2017-4941 is a local vulnerability that requires authentication to exploit.

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