VMware released security updates for critical Virtual machine escape vulnerability that allows a guest user to execute code if the vmxnet3 virtual network adapter is enabled.
The vulnerability CVE-2018-6981 and CVE-2018-6982 discovered in Chinese cybersecurity event GeekPwn2018 by Chinese cybersecurity firm Chaitin Tech.
VMware ESXi, VMware Workstation Pro, and VMware Fusion Pro are affected with the vulnerability.
GeekPwn is a hacking event held in China, which enables security researchers and geeks around the world to share their thoughts and findings.
#GeekPwn2018 Chaitin Tech security researcher f1yyy has escaped VMware EXSi and got root shell on the host for the first time in the world. After demonstrating it at GeekPwn 2018, f1yyy received the Best of Tech Award and was selected to the GeekPwn Hall of Fame.@GeekPwn pic.twitter.com/2Y2kYKaw4d
— Chaitin Tech (@ChaitinTech) October 31, 2018
CVE-2018-6981
VMware ESXi, Fusion and Workstation contain uninitialized stack memory in vmxnet3 virtual network adapter which allows a guest user to execute code on the host if vmxnet3 is enabled.
CVE-2018-6981 affects ESXi, Workstation and Fusion products. The vulnerability affects only vmxnet3 virtual adapters, other adapters are not affected.
CVE-2018-6982
The vulnerability results in the information leakage from host to guest if vmxnet3 is enabled. The vulnerability affects only ESXi versions, Workstation and Fusion not affected.
VMware released security updates to fix the vulnerability.
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