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TI-2021-05079 Aliases CVE-2021-22037GHSA-jv5m-f67h-gh5c

Uncontrolled search path in VMware InstallBuilder

Priority LOW 34CWE-427Published · Updated

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

EPSS 0.00289 21st percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix No fix listed No fixed version in the sources yet

SSVC decision points

Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
—VMware InstallBuilderAll InstallBuilder versions prior to version 21.6.0—No fix listedCNA
  • VMware InstallBuilder Vendor— Affected All InstallBuilder versions prior to version 21.6.0 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA

CPE configurations NVD · 1

CPEVersionsRoleVendor
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:installbuilder:*:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*before 21.6.0VulnerableVMware
  • cpe:2.3:a:vmware:installbuilder:*:*:*:*:*:windows:*:* Versions before 21.6.0 Vulnerable ·VMware

Remediation

No fixed version listed by the sources yet.

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2021-22037
  2. 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-jv5m-f67h-gh5c

References

  • 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