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CVE-2020-3992

Published: Oct 20, 2020Updated: Oct 30, 2025 Sources: CVE List NVD BDUCWE-416
9.8CRITICAL
NVD MITRE
EPSS Score
83.0%
Top 0.4%
CISA KEV
Active Exploitation
Since Nov 3, 2021
Exploits
No Known Exploits
Remediation
Patch Available
Self-Check
Nuclei · OpenVAS

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.

In plain language

AI Act now

CVE-2020-3992 is a critical remote code execution flaw in VMware ESXi’s OpenSLP component that can let an attacker run code from the management network; if your business runs VMware ESXi in a reachable management network, you should act now.

Executive summary

CVE-2020-3992 is a use-after-free that can be triggered over the network in OpenSLP as used in VMware ESXi (no authentication required), allowing remote attackers with management-network reachability to port 427 to execute arbitrary code.

If affected, business impact
Full host takeoverRansomware and data theft riskTotal service outageHypervisor compromise

What to do now

  1. Check whether you run VMware ESXi (or VMware Cloud Foundation that includes ESXi components) with OpenSLP reachable from your management network, and whether port 427 is accessible to other hosts.
  2. Identify your current ESXi version and confirm whether it is within the vulnerable ranges (7.0 before ESXi_7.0.1-0.0.16850804, 6.7 before ESXi670-202010401-SG, 6.5 before ESXi650-202010401-SG).
  3. Upgrade VMware ESXi to a fixed version as per VMware’s advisory; for VMware Cloud Foundation, upgrade to 3.10.1.2.
  4. After upgrading, verify that the ESXi host/service is no longer exposed to port 427 from the management network (restrict network access as needed).
Patch / advisory Usually a quick update

CVSS Vector Breakdown

AV:NAC:LPR:NUI:NS:UC:HI:HA:H
Exploitability
AV:NAttack Vector
Network
AC:LAttack Complexity
Low
PR:NPrivileges Required
None
UI:NUser Interaction
None
Scope
S:UScope
Unchanged
Impact
C:HConfidentiality
High
I:HIntegrity
High
A:HAvailability
High
Open in CVSS calculator →

Weaknesses

CWE-416

Affected Products

Broadcom Inc.
commercial·USaka vmware by broadcom
VMware Cloud FoundationSaaSSaaS Service
Cloud & SaaS / cloud-platform
VMware ESXiOn-prem
Cloud & SaaS / virtualization
vmware
commercial·USaka vmware inc
cloud foundationSaaSSaaS Service
Cloud & SaaS / cloud-platform
esxiOn-premWeb App
Cloud & SaaS / virtualization
and 1 more affected products View all →

Exploitability

CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability
Added to KEV:Nov 3, 2021
Remediation due:May 3, 2022
Ransomware:Known ransomware use

Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Official Patch Available
Is your org exposed to CVE-2020-3992?We'll check your whole external perimeter for exposure — free. Check my exposure

Attack Graph

Products CVE Techniques Tactics

Click technique nodes for MITRE ATT&CK details · drag to pan · Ctrl/⌘ + scroll to zoom, or go fullscreen.

MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques
Initial Access
Privilege Escalation
View detailed technique mapping

References

https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2020-0023.html
vmware.com
https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/csv/known_exploited_vulnerabilities.csv
cisa.gov
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1377/
zerodayinitiative.com
and 2 more references View all →

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