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Workstation Pro CVE-2017-4915

HIGH
Incorrect Authorization (CWE-863)
2017-05-22 security@vmware.com
7.8
CVSS 3.0 · NVD
View

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A01:2025 - Broken Access Control
ASVS 5.0
V8 - Authorization Authorization logic validation
MITRE ATT&CK

1 technique across 1 tactic: Privilege Escalation

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Impact

CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). Attack characteristics: local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction not required. Public proof-of-concept exploit code is available. EPSS exploitation probability: 11.56%.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

A local attacker with access to the system could bypass authorization checks to access restricted resources.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Why: HIGH severity + EPSS > 10%.
Patch available 11.6% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

VMware Workstation Pro/Player contains an insecure library loading vulnerability via ALSA sound driver configuration files. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and EPSS exploitation probability 11.6%.

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Review and test authorization logic, implement consistent access control checks, use centralized authorization framework.

Affects your stack

Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified as Incorrect Authorization (CWE-863), which allows attackers to bypass authorization checks to access restricted resources. VMware Workstation Pro/Player contains an insecure library loading vulnerability via ALSA sound driver configuration files. Successful exploitation of this issue may allow unprivileged host users to escalate their privileges to root in a Linux host machine. Affected products include: Vmware Workstation Player, Vmware Workstation Pro.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 7.8 HIGH
AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

DescriptionCVE.org

VMware Workstation Pro/Player contains an insecure library loading vulnerability via ALSA sound driver configuration files. Successful exploitation of this issue may allow unprivileged host users to escalate their privileges to root in a Linux host machine.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
11.6%
Top 6% exploitable
Exploit
POC
Public exploit code exists
Data Quality
5 sources
Confidence: Medium

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC Yes
EPSS 11.6%
Patch available Yes
Active threat Yes
Deciding rule
HIGH severity + EPSS > 10%
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Out-of-Cycle
Exploitation· derived
Active
System Exposure· derived
Small
Automatable· derived
No
Human Impact· derived
High

Priority Score

86
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: +12
CVSS: +39
PoC: +20
Weaponized: +15
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.

Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation_player:12.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation_pro:12.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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VMware ESXi 6.5 without patch ESXi650-201703410-SG and 5.5 without patch ESXi550-201703401-SG; Workstation Pro / Player

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