CVE-2012-1516

Name: CVE-2012-1516
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2012-05-04T16:55:01.42+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.9/10EPSS 3.23%

Last modified Jun 16, 2026

CVE-2012-1516 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.9/10 on the CVSS scale. The VMX process in VMware ESXi 3.5 through 4.1 and ESX 3.5 through 4.1 does not properly handle RPC commands, which allows guest OS users to cause a denial of service (memory overwrite and process crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code on the host OS via vectors involving data pointers.. EPSS estimates a 3.23% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The VMX process in VMware ESXi 3.5 through 4.1 and ESX 3.5 through 4.1 does not properly handle RPC commands, which allows guest OS users to cause a denial of service (memory overwrite and process crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code on the host OS via vectors involving data pointers.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.9/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

3.23%

86.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-119

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Vmware	Esx	3.5
Vmware	Esx	4.0
Vmware	Esx	4.1
Vmware	Esxi	3.5
Vmware	Esxi	4.0
Vmware	Esxi	4.1

References

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/53369Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1027018Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2012-0009.htmlVendor Advisory
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/75373VDB Entry
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A16810Tool Signature
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/53369Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1027018Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2012-0009.htmlVendor Advisory
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/75373VDB Entry
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A16810Tool Signature

Timeline

Published: May 4, 2012
Last Modified: Jun 16, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2012-1516?

How severe is CVE-2012-1516?

CVE-2012-1516 has a CVSS score of 9.9/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 3.23% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2012-1516?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2012-1516?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST