Vulnerabilities > CVE-2012-1515 - Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls vulnerability in VMWare ESX and Esxi

047910
CVSS 0.0 - NONE
Attack vector
UNKNOWN
Attack complexity
UNKNOWN
Privileges required
UNKNOWN
Confidentiality impact
UNKNOWN
Integrity impact
UNKNOWN
Availability impact
UNKNOWN
vmware
CWE-264
nessus
NVD
Published: 2012-04-02
Updated: 2018-10-12

Summary

VMware ESXi 3.5, 4.0, and 4.1 and ESX 3.5, 4.0, and 4.1 do not properly implement port-based I/O operations, which allows guest OS users to gain guest OS privileges by overwriting memory locations in a read-only memory block associated with the Virtual DOS Machine.

Vulnerable Configurations

Part Description Count
OS
Vmware
6

Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE)

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

  • Accessing, Modifying or Executing Executable Files
    An attack of this type exploits a system's configuration that allows an attacker to either directly access an executable file, for example through shell access; or in a possible worst case allows an attacker to upload a file and then execute it. Web servers, ftp servers, and message oriented middleware systems which have many integration points are particularly vulnerable, because both the programmers and the administrators must be in synch regarding the interfaces and the correct privileges for each interface.
  • Leverage Executable Code in Non-Executable Files
    An attack of this type exploits a system's trust in configuration and resource files, when the executable loads the resource (such as an image file or configuration file) the attacker has modified the file to either execute malicious code directly or manipulate the target process (e.g. application server) to execute based on the malicious configuration parameters. Since systems are increasingly interrelated mashing up resources from local and remote sources the possibility of this attack occurring is high. The attack can be directed at a client system, such as causing buffer overrun through loading seemingly benign image files, as in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-028 where specially crafted JPEG files could cause a buffer overrun once loaded into the browser. Another example targets clients reading pdf files. In this case the attacker simply appends javascript to the end of a legitimate url for a pdf (http://www.gnucitizen.org/blog/danger-danger-danger/) http://path/to/pdf/file.pdf#whatever_name_you_want=javascript:your_code_here The client assumes that they are reading a pdf, but the attacker has modified the resource and loaded executable javascript into the client's browser process. The attack can also target server processes. The attacker edits the resource or configuration file, for example a web.xml file used to configure security permissions for a J2EE app server, adding role name "public" grants all users with the public role the ability to use the administration functionality. The server trusts its configuration file to be correct, but when they are manipulated, the attacker gains full control.
  • Blue Boxing
    This type of attack against older telephone switches and trunks has been around for decades. A tone is sent by an adversary to impersonate a supervisor signal which has the effect of rerouting or usurping command of the line. While the US infrastructure proper may not contain widespread vulnerabilities to this type of attack, many companies are connected globally through call centers and business process outsourcing. These international systems may be operated in countries which have not upgraded Telco infrastructure and so are vulnerable to Blue boxing. Blue boxing is a result of failure on the part of the system to enforce strong authorization for administrative functions. While the infrastructure is different than standard current applications like web applications, there are historical lessons to be learned to upgrade the access control for administrative functions.
  • Restful Privilege Elevation
    Rest uses standard HTTP (Get, Put, Delete) style permissions methods, but these are not necessarily correlated generally with back end programs. Strict interpretation of HTTP get methods means that these HTTP Get services should not be used to delete information on the server, but there is no access control mechanism to back up this logic. This means that unless the services are properly ACL'd and the application's service implementation are following these guidelines then an HTTP request can easily execute a delete or update on the server side. The attacker identifies a HTTP Get URL such as http://victimsite/updateOrder, which calls out to a program to update orders on a database or other resource. The URL is not idempotent so the request can be submitted multiple times by the attacker, additionally, the attacker may be able to exploit the URL published as a Get method that actually performs updates (instead of merely retrieving data). This may result in malicious or inadvertent altering of data on the server.
  • Target Programs with Elevated Privileges
    This attack targets programs running with elevated privileges. The attacker would try to leverage a bug in the running program and get arbitrary code to execute with elevated privileges. For instance an attacker would look for programs that write to the system directories or registry keys (such as HKLM, which stores a number of critical Windows environment variables). These programs are typically running with elevated privileges and have usually not been designed with security in mind. Such programs are excellent exploit targets because they yield lots of power when they break. The malicious user try to execute its code at the same level as a privileged system call.

Msbulletin

bulletin_idMS12-042
bulletin_url
date2012-06-12T00:00:00
impactElevation of Privilege
knowledgebase_id2711167
knowledgebase_url
severityImportant
titleVulnerabilities in Windows Kernel Could Allow Elevation of Privilege

Nessus

  • NASL familyMisc.
    NASL idVMWARE_VMSA-2012-0006_REMOTE.NASL
    descriptionThe remote VMware ESX / ESXi host is missing a security-related patch. It is, therefore, affected by multiple vulnerabilities, including remote code execution vulnerabilities, in the following components : - Kernel - krb5 telnet daemon
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id89107
    published2016-03-03
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2016-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/89107
    titleVMware ESX / ESXi Multiple Vulnerabilities (VMSA-2012-0006) (remote check)
    code
    #
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(89107);
  script_version("1.8");
  script_cvs_date("Date: 2019/09/24 15:02:54");

  script_cve_id(
    "CVE-2011-2482",
    "CVE-2011-3191",
    "CVE-2011-4348",
    "CVE-2011-4862",
    "CVE-2012-1515"
  );
  script_bugtraq_id(
    49295,
    49373,
    51182,
    51363,
    52820
  );
  script_xref(name:"VMSA", value:"2012-0006");
  script_xref(name:"EDB-ID", value:"18280");
  script_xref(name:"EDB-ID", value:"18368");
  script_xref(name:"EDB-ID", value:"18369");

  script_name(english:"VMware ESX / ESXi Multiple Vulnerabilities (VMSA-2012-0006) (remote check)");
  script_summary(english:"Checks the remote ESX/ESXi host's version and build number.");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
"The remote VMware ESXi / ESX host is missing a security-related patch.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"description", value:
"The remote VMware ESX / ESXi host is missing a security-related patch.
It is, therefore, affected by multiple vulnerabilities, including
remote code execution vulnerabilities, in the following components :

  - Kernel
  - krb5 telnet daemon");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2012-0006.html");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:
"Apply the appropriate patch according to the vendor advisory.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:H/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"Exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_framework_core", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploithub_sku", value:"EH-11-760");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_framework_exploithub", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploited_by_malware", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"metasploit_name", value:'Linux BSD-derived Telnet Service Encryption Key ID Buffer Overflow');
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_framework_metasploit", value:"true");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2011/08/23");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2012/03/29");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2016/03/03");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"remote");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:vmware:esx");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:vmware:esxi");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2016-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");
  script_family(english:"Misc.");

  script_dependencies("vmware_vsphere_detect.nbin");
  script_require_keys("Host/VMware/version", "Host/VMware/release");
  script_require_ports("Host/VMware/vsphere");

  exit(0);
}

include("audit.inc");
include("global_settings.inc");
include("misc_func.inc");

ver = get_kb_item_or_exit("Host/VMware/version");
rel = get_kb_item_or_exit("Host/VMware/release");
port = get_kb_item_or_exit("Host/VMware/vsphere");

esx = "ESX/ESXi";

extract = eregmatch(pattern:"^(ESXi?) (\d\.\d).*$", string:ver);
if (isnull(extract))
  audit(AUDIT_UNKNOWN_APP_VER, esx);
else
{
  esx = extract[1];
  ver = extract[2];
}

product = "VMware " + esx;

# fixed builds
fixes = make_array(
  "ESX 3.5",  604481,
  "ESXi 3.5", 604481,
  "ESX 4.0",  660575,
  "ESXi 4.0", 660575,
  "ESX 4.1",  348481,
  "ESXi 4.1", 348481
);

key = esx + ' ' + ver;
fix = NULL;
fix = fixes[key];

bmatch = eregmatch(pattern:'^VMware ESXi?.*build-([0-9]+)$', string:rel);
if (empty_or_null(bmatch))
  audit(AUDIT_UNKNOWN_BUILD, product, ver);

build = int(bmatch[1]);

if (!fix)
  audit(AUDIT_INST_VER_NOT_VULN, product, ver, build);

if (build < fix)
{
  # properly spaced label
  if ("ESXi" >< esx) ver_label = ' version    : ';
  else ver_label = ' version     : ';
  report = '\n  ' + esx + ver_label + ver +
           '\n  Installed build : ' + build +
           '\n  Fixed build     : ' + fix +
           '\n';
  security_report_v4(port:port, extra:report, severity:SECURITY_HOLE);
}
else
  audit(AUDIT_INST_VER_NOT_VULN, product, ver, build);
  • NASL familyWindows : Microsoft Bulletins
    NASL idSMB_NT_MS12-042.NASL
    descriptionThe remote host is running a Windows kernel version that is affected by multiple elevation of privilege vulnerabilities : - A vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows User Mode Scheduler handles system requests that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code in kernel mode. (CVE-2012-0217) - A vulnerability exists in the way that Windows handles BIOS memory that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code in kernel mode. (CVE-2012-1515)
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id59460
    published2012-06-13
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2012-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/59460
    titleMS12-042: Vulnerabilities in Windows Kernel Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (2711167)
    code
    #
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(59460);
  script_version("1.26");
  script_cvs_date("Date: 2019/12/04");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2012-0217", "CVE-2012-1515");
  script_bugtraq_id(52820, 53856);
  script_xref(name:"EDB-ID", value:"20861");
  script_xref(name:"MSFT", value:"MS12-042");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"2707511");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"2709715");

  script_name(english:"MS12-042: Vulnerabilities in Windows Kernel Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (2711167)");
  script_summary(english:"Checks version of Ntoskrnl.exe.");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
"The Windows kernel is affected by multiple elevation of privilege
vulnerabilities.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"description", value:
"The remote host is running a Windows kernel version that is affected
by multiple elevation of privilege vulnerabilities :

  - A vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows User
    Mode Scheduler handles system requests that can be
    exploited to execute arbitrary code in kernel mode.
    (CVE-2012-0217)

  - A vulnerability exists in the way that Windows handles
    BIOS memory that can be exploited to execute arbitrary
    code in kernel mode. (CVE-2012-1515)");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/SecurityBulletins/2012/ms12-042");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:
"Microsoft has released a set of patches for 32-bit versions of
Windows XP and 2003 as well as patches for 64-bit versions of Windows
7 and Server 2008 R2.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:A/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:H/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cvss_score_source", value:"CVE-2012-1515");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"Exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_framework_core", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploited_by_malware", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"metasploit_name", value:'FreeBSD Intel SYSRET Privilege Escalation');
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_framework_metasploit", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_framework_canvas", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"canvas_package", value:'CANVAS');

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2012/06/12");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2012/06/12");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2012/06/13");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:microsoft:windows");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_family(english:"Windows : Microsoft Bulletins");

  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2012-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");

  script_dependencies("smb_hotfixes.nasl", "ms_bulletin_checks_possible.nasl");
  script_require_keys("SMB/MS_Bulletin_Checks/Possible");
  script_require_ports(139, 445, "Host/patch_management_checks");

  exit(0);
}

include("audit.inc");
include("smb_hotfixes_fcheck.inc");
include("smb_hotfixes.inc");
include("smb_func.inc");
include("misc_func.inc");

get_kb_item_or_exit("SMB/MS_Bulletin_Checks/Possible");

bulletin = "MS12-042";
kbs = make_list("2707511", "2709715");

if (get_kb_item("Host/patch_management_checks")) hotfix_check_3rd_party(bulletin:bulletin, kbs:kbs, severity:SECURITY_HOLE);

get_kb_item_or_exit("SMB/Registry/Enumerated");
get_kb_item_or_exit("SMB/WindowsVersion", exit_code:1);

if (hotfix_check_sp_range(xp:'3', win2003:'2', win7:'0,1') <= 0) audit(AUDIT_OS_SP_NOT_VULN);

arch = get_kb_item_or_exit("SMB/ARCH", exit_code:1);

rootfile = hotfix_get_systemroot();
if (!rootfile) exit(1, "Failed to get the system root.");

share = hotfix_path2share(path:rootfile);
if (!is_accessible_share(share:share)) audit(AUDIT_SHARE_FAIL, share);

if (
  # Windows XP x86
  hotfix_is_vulnerable(os:"5.1", sp:3, arch:"x86", file:"Ntoskrnl.exe", version:"5.1.2600.6223", dir:"\system32", bulletin:bulletin, kb:"2707511") ||

  # Windows 2003 x86
  hotfix_is_vulnerable(os:"5.2", sp:2, arch:"x86", file:"Ntoskrnl.exe", version:"5.2.3790.4998",  dir:"\system32", bulletin:bulletin, kb:"2707511") ||

  # Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
  hotfix_is_vulnerable(os:"6.1", sp:0, arch:"x64", file:"Ntoskrnl.exe", version:"6.1.7600.17017", min_version:"6.1.7600.16000", dir:"\system32", bulletin:bulletin, kb:"2709715") ||
  hotfix_is_vulnerable(os:"6.1", sp:0, arch:"x64", file:"Ntoskrnl.exe", version:"6.1.7600.21207", min_version:"6.1.7600.20000", dir:"\system32", bulletin:bulletin, kb:"2709715") ||
  hotfix_is_vulnerable(os:"6.1", sp:1, arch:"x64", file:"Ntoskrnl.exe", version:"6.1.7601.17835", min_version:"6.1.7601.17000", dir:"\system32", bulletin:bulletin, kb:"2709715") ||
  hotfix_is_vulnerable(os:"6.1", sp:1, arch:"x64", file:"Ntoskrnl.exe", version:"6.1.7601.21987", min_version:"6.1.7601.21000", dir:"\system32", bulletin:bulletin, kb:"2709715")
)
{
  set_kb_item(name:"SMB/Missing/"+bulletin, value:TRUE);
  hotfix_security_hole();
  hotfix_check_fversion_end();
  exit(0);
}
else
{
  hotfix_check_fversion_end();
  audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, 'affected');
}
  • NASL familyVMware ESX Local Security Checks
    NASL idVMWARE_VMSA-2012-0006.NASL
    descriptiona. VMware ROM Overwrite Privilege Escalation A flaw in the way port-based I/O is handled allows for modifying Read-Only Memory that belongs to the Virtual DOS Machine. Exploitation of this issue may lead to privilege escalation on Guest Operating Systems that run Windows 2000, Windows XP 32-bit, Windows Server 2003 32-bit or Windows Server 2003 R2 32-bit. VMware would like to thank Derek Soeder of Ridgeway Internet Security, L.L.C. for reporting this issue to us. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CVE-2012-1515 to this issue. b. ESX third-party update for Service Console kernel The ESX Service Console Operating System (COS) kernel is updated to kernel-400.2.6.18-238.4.11.591731 to fix multiple security issues in the COS kernel. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the names CVE-2011-2482, CVE-2011-3191 and CVE-2011-4348 to these issues. c. ESX third-party update for Service Console krb5 RPM This patch updates the krb5-libs and krb5-workstation RPMs to version 1.6.1-63.el5_7 to resolve a security issue. By default, the affected krb5-telnet and ekrb5-telnet services do not run. The krb5 telnet daemon is an xinetd service. You can run the following commands to check if krb5 telnetd is enabled : /sbin/chkconfig --list krb5-telnet /sbin/chkconfig --list ekrb5-telnet The output of these commands displays if krb5 telnet is enabled. You can run the following commands to disable krb5 telnet daemon : /sbin/chkconfig krb5-telnet off /sbin/chkconfig ekrb5-telnet off The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CVE-2011-4862 to this issue.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id58535
    published2012-03-30
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2012-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/58535
    titleVMSA-2012-0006 : VMware Workstation, ESXi, and ESX address several security issues

Oval

  • accepted2012-07-30T04:00:17.269-04:00
    classvulnerability
    contributors
    nameSecPod Team
    organizationSecPod Technologies
    definition_extensions
    • commentMicrosoft Windows XP (x86) SP3 is installed
      ovaloval:org.mitre.oval:def:5631
    • commentMicrosoft Windows Server 2003 SP2 (x86) is installed
      ovaloval:org.mitre.oval:def:1935
    descriptionVMware ESXi 3.5, 4.0, and 4.1 and ESX 3.5, 4.0, and 4.1 do not properly implement port-based I/O operations, which allows guest OS users to gain guest OS privileges by overwriting memory locations in a read-only memory block associated with the Virtual DOS Machine.
    familywindows
    idoval:org.mitre.oval:def:15209
    statusaccepted
    submitted2012-06-18T12:53:22
    titleBIOS ROM Corruption Vulnerability (CVE-2012-1515)
    version71
  • accepted2013-07-29T04:01:13.944-04:00
    classvulnerability
    contributors
    nameMaria Kedovskaya
    organizationALTX-SOFT
    definition_extensions
    • commentVMware Workstation is installed
      ovaloval:org.mitre.oval:def:16277
    • commentVMware Player is installed
      ovaloval:org.mitre.oval:def:17194
    descriptionVMware ESXi 3.5, 4.0, and 4.1 and ESX 3.5, 4.0, and 4.1 do not properly implement port-based I/O operations, which allows guest OS users to gain guest OS privileges by overwriting memory locations in a read-only memory block associated with the Virtual DOS Machine.
    familywindows
    idoval:org.mitre.oval:def:17110
    statusaccepted
    submitted2013-06-20T10:26:26.748+04:00
    titleVMware ROM Overwrite Privilege Escalation
    version6

Packetstorm

data sourcehttps://packetstormsecurity.com/files/download/111404/vmwarehb-escalate.txt
idPACKETSTORM:111404
last seen2016-12-05
published2012-03-30
reporterDerek Soeder
sourcehttps://packetstormsecurity.com/files/111404/VMware-High-Bandwidth-Backdoor-ROM-Overwrite-Privilege-Elevation.html
titleVMware High-Bandwidth Backdoor ROM Overwrite Privilege Elevation

References