CVE-2017-4941

Name: CVE-2017-4941
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-12-20T15:29:00.297+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 8.8/10EPSS 3.16%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2017-4941 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8.8/10 on the CVSS scale. VMware ESXi (6.0 before ESXi600-201711101-SG, 5.5 ESXi550-201709101-SG), Workstation (12.x before 12.5.8), and Fusion (8.x before 8.5.9) contain a vulnerability that could allow an authenticated VNC session to cause a stack overflow via a specific set of VNC packets. Successful exploitation of this issue could result in remote code execution in a virtual machine via the authenticated VNC session. EPSS estimates a 3.16% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

VMware ESXi (6.0 before ESXi600-201711101-SG, 5.5 ESXi550-201709101-SG), Workstation (12.x before 12.5.8), and Fusion (8.x before 8.5.9) contain a vulnerability that could allow an authenticated VNC session to cause a stack overflow via a specific set of VNC packets. Successful exploitation of this issue could result in remote code execution in a virtual machine via the authenticated VNC session. Note: In order for exploitation to be possible in ESXi, VNC must be manually enabled in a virtual machine's .vmx configuration file. In addition, ESXi must be configured to allow VNC traffic through the built-in firewall.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

8.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

3.16%

86.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-119

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Vmware	Fusion	>= 8.0.0, < 8.5.9
Vmware	Workstation	>= 12.0.0, < 12.5.8
Vmware	Esxi	5.5
Vmware	Esxi	6.0

References

http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1040024Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1040025Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2017-0021.htmlIssue Tracking, Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1040024Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1040025Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2017-0021.htmlIssue Tracking, Patch, Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Dec 20, 2017
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-4941?

How severe is CVE-2017-4941?

CVE-2017-4941 has a CVSS score of 8.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 3.16% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2017-4941?

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-2017-4941?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST