How severe is CVE-2016-5333?

CVE-2016-5333 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-5333 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (83rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-5333?

CVE-2016-5333 affects Vmware Photon Os. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-5333?

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-2016-5333 published?

CVE-2016-5333 was published on 2016-08-31 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-5333

CVE-2016-5333 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Vmware Photon Os with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. 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-798.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 9.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (83rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-798
Affected product: Vmware Photon Os
Published: 2016-08-31
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

VMware Photos OS OVA 1.0 before 2016-08-14 has a default SSH public key in an authorized_keys file, which allows remote attackers to obtain SSH access by leveraging knowledge of the private key.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-5333?: VMware Photos OS OVA 1.0 before 2016-08-14 has a default SSH public key in an authorized_keys file, which allows remote attackers to obtain SSH access by leveraging knowledge of the private key.
How severe is CVE-2016-5333?: CVE-2016-5333 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-5333 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (83rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-5333?: CVE-2016-5333 affects Vmware Photon Os. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-5333?: 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-2016-5333 published?: CVE-2016-5333 was published on 2016-08-31 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:o:vmware:photon_os:*:2016-08-14:*:*:*:*:*:*

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