Uncontrolled search path in VMware InstallBuilder
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-427.
Summary
Under certain circumstances, when manipulating the Windows registry, InstallBuilder uses the reg.exe system command. The full path to the command is not enforced, which results in a search in the search path until a binary can be identified. This makes the installer/uninstaller vulnerable to Path Interception by Search Order Hijacking, potentially allowing an attacker to plant a malicious reg.exe command so it takes precedence over the system command. The vulnerability only affects Windows installers.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | VMware InstallBuilder | All InstallBuilder versions prior to version 21.6.0 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- VMware InstallBuilder Vendor— Affected All InstallBuilder versions prior to version 21.6.0 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2021-22037
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-jv5m-f67h-gh5c
References
More VMware Installbuilder vulnerabilities
- TI-2021-05080 On Windows, the uninstaller binary copies itself to a fixed temporary location, which is… CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2020-03445 InstallBuilder AutoUpdate tool and regular installers enabling <checkForUpdates> built… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
Sources
- CVE-2021-22037 · CVE Program
- CVE-2021-22037 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-jv5m-f67h-gh5c · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
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