VMware 1.1.2 Symlink Vulnerability

[harikiri () ATTRITION ORG (harikiri)]

w00w00 Security Advisory - http://www.w00w00.org/

Title:          VMware 1.1.2 Symlink Vulnerability
Platforms:      Linux Distributions with VMware 1.1.2 (build 364)
Discovered:     17th January, 2000
Local:          Yes.
Remote:         No.
Author:         harikiri <harikiri () attrition org>
Vendor Status:  Notified.
Last Updated:   N/A

1. Overview

VMware stores temporary log files within the /tmp directory. It does
not check whether all of these files exist prior to creation, resulting
in the potential for a symlink attack.

2. Background

VMware is a commercial application that enables the operation of "guest"
operating systems within the host system. This is performed via the use of
Virtual Machine technology.

Due to the low-level requirements of VMware, it is necessary to run the
program at a high privilege level, typically root.

3. Issue

VMware creates the file "/tmp/vmware-log" on startup. The existance and
owner of the file is not checked prior to writing startup information to
the file.

NOTE: VMware uses other files in the /tmp directory. The one cited above
is only a single example.

4. Impact

Local users may create a symlink from an arbitrary file to /tmp/vmware-log.
When VMware is executed, the file pointed to by the symlink will be overwritten.

This may be used as a local denial of service attack. There may also be a
method to gain elevated privileges via the symlink attack, though none is
known at this time.

5. Recommendation

Wait for a fix from the vendor.

6. References

- VMware Inc: http://www.vmware.com/
- w00w00 Security Development: http://www.w00w00.org/

EOF