How severe is CVE-2012-1515?

CVE-2012-1515 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 8.3, rated high severity.

Is CVE-2012-1515 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (53rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2012-1515?

CVE-2012-1515 primarily affects Vmware Esxi. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2012-1515?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2012-1515 published?

CVE-2012-1515 was published on 2012-04-02 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2012-1515

CVE-2012-1515 is a high-severity vulnerability in Vmware Esxi with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 8.3. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-264.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 8.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (53rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-264
Affected product: Vmware Esxi
Published: 2012-04-02
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

VMware ESXi 3.5, 4.0, and 4.1 and ESX 3.5, 4.0, and 4.1 do not properly implement port-based I/O operations, which allows guest OS users to gain guest OS privileges by overwriting memory locations in a read-only memory block associated with the Virtual DOS Machine.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2012-1515?: VMware ESXi 3.5, 4.0, and 4.1 and ESX 3.5, 4.0, and 4.1 do not properly implement port-based I/O operations, which allows guest OS users to gain guest OS privileges by overwriting memory locations in a read-only memory block associated with the Virtual DOS Machine.
How severe is CVE-2012-1515?: CVE-2012-1515 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 8.3, rated high severity.
Is CVE-2012-1515 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (53rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2012-1515?: CVE-2012-1515 primarily affects Vmware Esxi. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2012-1515?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2012-1515 published?: CVE-2012-1515 was published on 2012-04-02 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (6)

cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:3.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esx:3.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esx:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esx:4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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