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Vulnerability record · CVE-2012-1516 · published 4 May 2012

CVE-2012-1516: Vmware esx memory buffer overflow vulnerability

Vmware · Esx

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.

9.9 CVSS 3.1 Critical EPSS 3.2% · top 12.4% CWE-119 · Memory buffer overflow
9.9CVSS 3.1 base score, v2 9.0
3.2%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
2Affected product versions listed by NVD
10References
16 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

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.

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

Affected products

2 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/53369 Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1027018 Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2012-0009.html Vendor Advisory
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/75373 VDB Entry
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A16810 Tool Signature
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/53369 Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1027018 Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2012-0009.html Vendor Advisory
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/75373 VDB Entry
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A16810 Tool Signature

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Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2012-1516), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-27). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.