CVE-2019-5544
VMware ESXi and Horizon Desktop as a Service (DaaS) OpenSLP contains a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability that allows an attacker with network…
Browse: All 2019 CVEs · All vendors
- CVSS score
- 9.8 Critical
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H- CISA KEV
- Yes — actively exploited (added 2021-11-03, remediation due 2022-05-03)
- Ransomware
- Known ransomware campaign use
- Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-787
- Published
- 2019-12-06
- Last modified
- 2026-06-17
- NVD status
- Analyzed
Description
VMware ESXi and Horizon Desktop as a Service (DaaS) OpenSLP contains a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability that allows an attacker with network access to port 427 to overwrite the heap of the OpenSLP service to perform remote code execution.
Affected products
- vmware horizon daas
- vmware esxi
- redhat enterprise linux desktop
- redhat enterprise linux for ibm z systems
- redhat enterprise linux for ibm z systems eus
- redhat enterprise linux for power big endian
- redhat enterprise linux for power big endian eus
- redhat enterprise linux for power little endian
- redhat enterprise linux for power little endian eus
- redhat enterprise linux server
- redhat enterprise linux server aus
- redhat enterprise linux server eus
Affected ranges per NVD CPE data; confirm exact versions in the vendor advisory.
Required action (CISA)
Apply updates per vendor instructions. Federal remediation deadline: 2022-05-03.
How to prioritize this
This vulnerability is on the CISA KEV list, meaning it is being actively exploited — treat it as urgent regardless of the raw CVSS number. Use the live CVE lookup for the latest NVD data, and the CVSS 3.1 calculator to model your own environmental score. For the actively exploited vulnerabilities that matter this week, read The Exploit HQ daily security brief.
References
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/12/10/2
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/12/11/2
- http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2019-0022.html
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:4240
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0199
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/DA3LYAJ2NRKMOZLZOQNDJ5TNQRFMWGHF/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/ZPXXJZLPLAQULBCJVI5NNWZ3PGWXGXWG/
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202005-12
FAQ
Is CVE-2019-5544 actively exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2019-5544 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog on 2021-11-03, with a federal remediation deadline of 2022-05-03. A KEV listing means real-world exploitation is confirmed, so patching this should be prioritized above many higher-CVSS bugs that aren't being exploited.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2019-5544?
CVE-2019-5544 has a CVSS base score of 9.8 (Critical). Its vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Related vulnerabilities
- CVE-2025-22226 — VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion
- CVE-2025-22225 — VMware ESXi
- CVE-2025-22224 — VMware ESXi and Workstation
- CVE-2024-38813 — VMware vCenter Server
- CVE-2024-38812 — VMware vCenter Server
- CVE-2024-37085 — VMware ESXi
Data source: NVD & CISA KEV. Shown as-is; nothing added. Last generated from NVD data — re-check the live tool for updates.
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