On Windows, the uninstaller binary copies itself to a fixed temporary location, which is…
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
On Windows, the uninstaller binary copies itself to a fixed temporary location, which is then executed (the originally called uninstaller exits, so it does not block the installation directory). This temporary location is not randomized and does not restrict access to Administrators only so a potential attacker could plant a binary to replace the copied binary right before it gets called, thus gaining Administrator privileges (if the original uninstaller was executed as Administrator). 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-2021-22038
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-5hc4-w525-fjv3
References
More VMware Installbuilder vulnerabilities
- TI-2020-03445 InstallBuilder AutoUpdate tool and regular installers enabling <checkForUpdates> built… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2021-05079 Uncontrolled search path in VMware InstallBuilder CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
Sources
- CVE-2021-22038 · CVE Program
- CVE-2021-22038 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-5hc4-w525-fjv3 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
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