CVE-2024-22252: VMware Workstation Use-After-Free Flaw

CVE-2024-22252 Overview

VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion contain a use-after-free vulnerability in the XHCI USB controller. A malicious actor with local administrative privileges on a virtual machine may exploit this issue to execute code as the virtual machine's VMX process running on the host. On ESXi, the exploitation is contained within the VMX sandbox whereas, on Workstation and Fusion, this may lead to code execution on the machine where Workstation or Fusion is installed.

Critical Impact

A local attacker could potentially escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code on the host machine.

Affected Products

• VMware Workstation
• VMware ESXi
• VMware Fusion

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-03-05T18:15:47.713 - CVE CVE-2024-22252 published to NVD
• 2025-03-27T20:15:21.593 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-22252

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is a use-after-free (CWE-416) located in the XHCI USB controller. A flaw in memory handling allows an attacker with privileges on a guest virtual machine to manipulate pointers and execute arbitrary code on the host environment by leveraging this vulnerability.

Root Cause

The root cause involves improper management of memory allocation, where objects are not correctly released, leading to a dangling pointer use scenario that can be exploited.

Attack Vector

The attack requires local access with administrative privileges to the guest virtual machine.

// Example exploitation code (sanitized)
#include <iostream>
#include <vm_control.h>

int main() {
    virtual_machine vm;
    if (vm.acquire_admin_privileges()) {
        vm.execute_code("exploit_code");
    }
    return 0;
}

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-22252

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexplained virtual machine crashes
• Unusual privilege escalation attempts
• Unexpected host defenses circumvention

Detection Strategies

Monitor for anomalous memory access patterns and privilege escalation attempts from virtual machine environments.

Monitoring Recommendations

Utilize SentinelOne to track administrative activity within VMs and detect unusual memory operations indicative of exploit attempts.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-22252

Immediate Actions Required

• Disable USB controllers on VMs where feasible
• Limit administrative access to necessary personnel
• Continuously monitor VM activity with advanced EDR solutions

Patch Information

VMware has released patches for affected products; refer to VMware Advisory VMSA-2024-0006.

Workarounds

bash
# Temporarily disable USB support in VMware
esxcli vm hardware usb remove --vmid=<vmid>