CVE-2020-3992
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…
Browse: All 2020 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-416
- Published
- 2020-10-20
- Last modified
- 2026-08-12
- NVD status
- Analyzed
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.
Affected products
- vmware cloud foundation
- vmware esxi
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
- https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2020-0023.html
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1377/
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1385/
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-3992
FAQ
Is CVE-2020-3992 actively exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2020-3992 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-2020-3992?
CVE-2020-3992 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-2025-22225 — VMware ESXi
- CVE-2024-37085 — VMware ESXi
- CVE-2025-22226 — VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion
- CVE-2025-22224 — VMware ESXi and Workstation
- CVE-2024-38813 — VMware vCenter Server
- CVE-2024-38812 — VMware vCenter Server
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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