VMware Fusion TOCTOU Flaw Grants Root Privileges
The National Vulnerability Database has detailed CVE-2026-41702, a high-severity Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) vulnerability in VMware Fusion. This flaw, rated with a CVSS score of 7.8, stems from an operation within a SETUID binary. It allows a local non-administrative user to escalate their privileges to root on the system where Fusion is installed.
This isn’t just a theoretical vulnerability; it’s a direct path to full system compromise. An attacker who has already gained a foothold as a low-privileged user can leverage this TOCTOU race condition to bypass security controls and gain complete control. This significantly raises the stakes for any initial compromise, turning a minor incident into a potential disaster.
Defenders need to treat local privilege escalation (LPE) vulnerabilities like this with extreme prejudice. While it requires local access, many attack chains begin with phishing or weak credentials, leading to initial access as a standard user. An LPE like CVE-2026-41702 provides the critical next step for an attacker to establish persistence, move laterally, and exfiltrate data undetected.
What This Means For You
- If your organization uses VMware Fusion, prioritize patching this vulnerability immediately. Audit your systems for any signs of unauthorized root access, especially if you have had any other security incidents involving local access. This LPE is a critical component in escalating a low-level compromise into a full system takeover.
Related ATT&CK Techniques
🛡️ Detection Rules
2 rules · 6 SIEM formats2 detection rules auto-generated for this incident, mapped to MITRE ATT&CK. Sigma YAML is free — export to any SIEM format via the Intel Bot.
CVE-2026-41702 - VMware Fusion TOCTOU Privilege Escalation
title: CVE-2026-41702 - VMware Fusion TOCTOU Privilege Escalation
id: scw-2026-05-15-ai-1
status: experimental
level: critical
description: |
Detects the execution of the VMware Fusion vmware-vmdktool SETUID binary, which is implicated in CVE-2026-41702. A Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) vulnerability in this binary allows a local non-administrative user to escalate privileges to root.
author: SCW Feed Engine (AI-generated)
date: 2026-05-15
references:
- https://shimiscyberworld.com/posts/nvd-CVE-2026-41702/
tags:
- attack.privilege_escalation
- attack.t1068
logsource:
category: process_creation
detection:
selection:
Image|startswith:
- '/Applications/VMware Fusion.app/Contents/Library/vmware-vmdktool'
ParentImage|startswith:
- '/Applications/VMware Fusion.app/'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Legitimate administrative activity
Source: Shimi's Cyber World · License & reuse
Indicators of Compromise
| ID | Type | Indicator |
|---|---|---|
| CVE-2026-41702 | Privilege Escalation | VMware Fusion |
| CVE-2026-41702 | Race Condition | TOCTOU (Time-of-check Time-of-use) vulnerability |
| CVE-2026-41702 | Privilege Escalation | SETUID binary operation |
Written by SCW Vulnerability Desk
Source & Attribution
| Source Platform | NVD |
| Channel | National Vulnerability Database |
| Published | May 15, 2026 at 10:16 UTC |
This content was AI-rewritten and enriched by Shimi's Cyber World based on the original source. All intellectual property rights remain with the original author.
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