Can VMWARE be used to gain admin rights ?
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Rahul Shrivastava
330 pts.
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Q:
Can VMWARE be used to gain admin rights ?
VMware, VMware administration, Windows XP, Desktop administration
Hello Guys,

The issue I would like to hear your comments on the question below -

I am not having ADMIN access on my operating system (Windows XP Professional service pack 3) and it is not allowing me to use the USB drive which I need to use. IThis is blocked at the server level and doesn't allow me to change the registry key values.

If I install VMWARE on my PC I will have admin rights on the OS installed and can change the registry key values. Is this correct ? According to my understanding the Pen drive can be enabled then.

Your comments are invited.
ASKED: May 14 2009  7:53 PM GMT
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Blithespirit
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First of all you are trying to get around security rules that are probably in place for good reasons. Secondly even if you are able to get the virtual machine up and running and by default that OS will be able to see the thumb drive it still will not work because the original operating system restricts it and the new os will not see the drive.

just to add in agreement, you can only see through your original software into the VMware software so if you cant see it on the physical box it still will not see it on the virtual one. if you have been locked down in the case of USB use can you still install software such as workstation anyway or is that part of your sec policy as well which will not allow you to install the virtualisation software?
Last Answered: May 22 2009  2:04 PM GMT by Blithespirit   685 pts.
Latest Contributors: KarlG   7305 pts.
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Alessandro.panzetta   9615 pts.  |   May 15 2009  8:27AM GMT

If your IT department set the policy to disallow USB pendrives you should stop finding ways to bypass this policy otherwise you could break some corporate policies.

 

Rahul Shrivastava   330 pts.  |   May 18 2009  2:13AM GMT

Sir, its me who is applying the policy and is responsible for securing the environment.

All I am trying to do is to test it before a malicious person tries it.

 

PCJunkie   870 pts.  |   May 20 2009  6:40PM GMT

Can’t you DENY software install on client?

 

Rahul Shrivastava   330 pts.  |   May 21 2009  2:00PM GMT

PCJunkie,

Can you explain how this can be used in this case?

 

PCJunkie   870 pts.  |   May 23 2009  5:07AM GMT

Rahul I am not quite certain I understand exactly what it is you are working with. From what it sounds like is you have a client PC running Windows XP and the admin has restricted USB access on the client for those that are not local admins. What version of VMWare are you installing on the Windows XP machine?

Does the VMWare install as a WIN32 App? Or does it install after POST on the bootup?

 
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