CVE-2020-3992

Name: CVE-2020-3992
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-10-20T17:15:12.81+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 83.02%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-3992 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. 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.. CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 83.02% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

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.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

83.02%

99.6th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Exploitation Status

This vulnerability is listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies must remediate by May 3, 2022.

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Vmware	Cloud Foundation	>= 3.0, < 3.10.1.2
Vmware	Cloud Foundation	>= 4.0, < 4.1.0.1
Vmware	Esxi	6.5
Vmware	Esxi	6.7
Vmware	Esxi	7.0.0

References

https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2020-0023.htmlPatch, Vendor Advisory
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1377/Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1385/Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2020-0023.htmlPatch, Vendor Advisory
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1377/Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1385/Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-3992US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Oct 20, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-3992?

How severe is CVE-2020-3992?

CVE-2020-3992 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 83.02% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2020-3992?

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-2020-3992?

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

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Source: NVD / NIST