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CVE-2020-3992

VMware ESXi OpenSLP Use-After-Free

9.8 CRITICALActively exploited (CISA KEV)Used in ransomwareEPSS 83.0%
  1. Published20 Oct 2020
  2. Added to CISA KEV3 Nov 2021
  3. Remediation due3 May 2022
Actively exploited (CISA KEV)

VMware ESXi OpenSLP contains a use-after-free vulnerability that allows an attacker residing in the management network with access to port 427 to perform remote code execution.

Added to KEV: 3 Nov 2021Federal remediation due: 3 May 2022Used in ransomware

Description

OpenSLP as used in VMware ESXi (7.0 before ESXi_7.0.1-0.0.16850804, 6.7 before ESXi670-202010401-SG, 6.5 before ESXi650-202010401-SG) has a use-after-free issue. A malicious actor residing in the management network who has access to port 427 on an ESXi machine may be able to trigger a use-after-free in the OpenSLP service resulting in remote code execution.

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorNetwork
Attack complexityLow
Privileges requiredNone
User interactionNone
ScopeUnchanged
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

VMware Cloud Foundation≥ 3.0 < 3.10.1.2 · ≥ 4.0 < 4.1.0.1
VMware Esxi6.5 · 6.7

Remediation

Fixed in
VMware Cloud Foundation≥ 3.10.1.2

References

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Frequently asked

Is CVE-2020-3992 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2020-3992 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 3 Nov 2021. It has been used in ransomware campaigns.

How severe is CVE-2020-3992?

CVE-2020-3992 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8, rated critical. EPSS estimates a 83.0% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2020-3992?

Affected products include VMware Cloud Foundation, VMware Esxi.

How do I fix CVE-2020-3992?

Upgrade affected software to a fixed version, for example VMware Cloud Foundation 3.10.1.2 or later, then confirm no affected versions remain in your inventory.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2020-3992 against the real software inventory on every managed device, every day. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. Because it is on the CISA KEV list, Secuno flags any affected asset as top-priority automatically. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

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Data from the NVD, CISA KEV catalog and FIRST EPSS. CVSS 3.1 base score shown where available.