CVE-2005-4459
CVE-2005-4459 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Vmware Ace with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 14% places it in the 96th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-119.
Key facts
- Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 10.0)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 14% (96th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-119
- Affected product: Vmware Ace
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Heap-based buffer overflow in the NAT networking components vmnat.exe and vmnet-natd in VMWare Workstation 5.5, GSX Server 3.2, ACE 1.0.1, and Player 1.0 allows remote authenticated attackers, including guests, to execute arbitrary code via crafted (1) EPRT and (2) PORT FTP commands.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2005-4459?
- Heap-based buffer overflow in the NAT networking components vmnat.exe and vmnet-natd in VMWare Workstation 5.5, GSX Server 3.2, ACE 1.0.1, and Player 1.0 allows remote authenticated attackers, including guests, to execute arbitrary code via crafted (1) EPRT and (2) PORT FTP commands.
- How severe is CVE-2005-4459?
- CVE-2005-4459 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0, rated critical severity.
- Is CVE-2005-4459 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 14% (96th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2005-4459?
- CVE-2005-4459 primarily affects Vmware Ace. In total, 20 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2005-4459?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- When was CVE-2005-4459 published?
- CVE-2005-4459 was published on 2005-12-21 and last updated on 2026-07-07.
References
- http://lists.grok.org.uk/pipermail/full-disclosure/2005-December/040442.html
- http://secunia.com/advisories/18162
- http://secunia.com/advisories/18344
- http://securityreason.com/securityalert/282
- http://securityreason.com/securityalert/289
- http://securitytracker.com/id?1015401
- http://www.gentoo.org/security/en/glsa/glsa-200601-04.xml
- http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/856689
- http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/419997/100/0/threaded
- http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/420017/100/0/threaded
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/15998
- http://www.vmware.com/support/kb/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=2000
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2005/3013
Affected products (20)
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:ace:1.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:gsx_server:2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:gsx_server:2.0.1_build_2129:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:gsx_server:2.5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:gsx_server:2.5.1_build_5336:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:gsx_server:2.5.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:gsx_server:3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:gsx_server:3.0_build_7592:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:gsx_server:3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:gsx_server:3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:player:1.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation:3.2.1:patch1:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation:3.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation:4.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation:4.0.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation:4.5.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation:4.5.2_build_8848:r4:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation:5.0.0_build_13124:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation:5.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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