CVE-2020-3974

Name: CVE-2020-3974
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-07-10T14:15:10.483+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.36%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-3974 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. VMware Fusion (11.x before 11.5.5), VMware Remote Console for Mac (11.x and prior before 11.2.0 ) and Horizon Client for Mac (5.x and prior before 5.4.3) contain a privilege escalation vulnerability due to improper XPC Client validation. Successful exploitation of this issue may allow attackers with normal user privileges to escalate their privileges to root on the system where Fusion, VMware Remote Console for Mac or Horizon Client for Mac is installed.. EPSS estimates a 0.36% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

VMware Fusion (11.x before 11.5.5), VMware Remote Console for Mac (11.x and prior before 11.2.0 ) and Horizon Client for Mac (5.x and prior before 5.4.3) contain a privilege escalation vulnerability due to improper XPC Client validation. Successful exploitation of this issue may allow attackers with normal user privileges to escalate their privileges to root on the system where Fusion, VMware Remote Console for Mac or Horizon Client for Mac is installed.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.36%

27.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Vmware	Fusion	>= 11.0.0, < 11.5.5
Vmware	Horizon Client	>= 5.0.0, < 5.4.3
Vmware	Remote Console	>= 11.0.0, < 11.2.0

References

https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2020-0017.htmlPatch, Vendor Advisory
https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2020-0017.htmlPatch, Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Jul 10, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-3974?

How severe is CVE-2020-3974?

CVE-2020-3974 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.36% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-3974?

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-2020-3974?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST