How severe is CVE-2016-7085?

CVE-2016-7085 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-7085 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (34th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-7085?

CVE-2016-7085 primarily affects Vmware Workstation Player. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-7085?

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-2016-7085 published?

CVE-2016-7085 was published on 2016-12-29 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-7085

CVE-2016-7085 is a high-severity vulnerability in Vmware Workstation Player with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. 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-426.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (34th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-426
Affected product: Vmware Workstation Player
Published: 2016-12-29
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Untrusted search path vulnerability in the installer in VMware Workstation Pro 12.x before 12.5.0 and VMware Workstation Player 12.x before 12.5.0 on Windows allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-7085?: Untrusted search path vulnerability in the installer in VMware Workstation Pro 12.x before 12.5.0 and VMware Workstation Player 12.x before 12.5.0 on Windows allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
How severe is CVE-2016-7085?: CVE-2016-7085 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-7085 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (34th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-7085?: CVE-2016-7085 primarily affects Vmware Workstation Player. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-7085?: 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-2016-7085 published?: CVE-2016-7085 was published on 2016-12-29 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (8)

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation_player:12.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation_player:12.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation_player:12.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation_player:12.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation_pro:12.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation_pro:12.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation_pro:12.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation_pro:12.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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