Cybersecurity Briefing — VMware fixes VMSA-2020-0006 code execution flaws
VMware released VMSA-2020-0006 patches for multiple vulnerabilities in Workstation, Fusion, and ESXi that allow host escape or privilege escalation via crafted virtual network traffic. Administrators must update hypervisors and disable unnecessary virtual adapters to block attack paths.
Executive briefing: VMware patched flaws in DHCP and Thinprint components used by ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion. Successful exploitation could allow a guest to execute code on the host or escalate privileges using crafted virtual network traffic, prompting VMware to release security updates across supported hypervisor branches.
Why it matters
- Privilege boundaries: Guest-to-host escape breaks isolation guarantees critical for multi-tenant and lab environments.
- Wide footprint: ESXi is widely deployed in on-prem and co-lo platforms; vulnerable Workstation and Fusion endpoints are common on developer systems.
- Exploitation ease: The attack surface involves virtual networking components reachable by guest users without additional privileges.
Operator actions
- Patch hypervisors: Apply the March 6, 2020 updates for ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion as documented in VMSA-2020-0006.
- Disable unused virtual NICs: Remove or disable vmnet interfaces and legacy Thinprint channels not required for workloads.
- Restrict console access: Limit access to guest consoles and shared folders that could aid chained exploitation.
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