How severe is CVE-2016-7456?

CVE-2016-7456 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-2016-7456 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 33% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-7456?

CVE-2016-7456 primarily affects Vmware Vsphere Data Protection. In total, 22 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-7456?

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-2016-7456 published?

CVE-2016-7456 was published on 2016-12-29 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-7456

CVE-2016-7456 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Vmware Vsphere Data Protection with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 33% places it in the 98th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-255.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 10.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 33% (98th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-255
Affected product: Vmware Vsphere Data Protection
Published: 2016-12-29
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

VMware vSphere Data Protection (VDP) 5.5.x though 6.1.x has an SSH private key with a publicly known password, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain login access via an SSH session.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-7456?: VMware vSphere Data Protection (VDP) 5.5.x though 6.1.x has an SSH private key with a publicly known password, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain login access via an SSH session.
How severe is CVE-2016-7456?: CVE-2016-7456 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-2016-7456 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 33% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-7456?: CVE-2016-7456 primarily affects Vmware Vsphere Data Protection. In total, 22 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-7456?: 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-2016-7456 published?: CVE-2016-7456 was published on 2016-12-29 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (22)

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vsphere_data_protection:5.5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vsphere_data_protection:5.5.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vsphere_data_protection:5.5.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vsphere_data_protection:5.5.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vsphere_data_protection:5.5.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vsphere_data_protection:5.5.9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vsphere_data_protection:5.5.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vsphere_data_protection:5.5.11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vsphere_data_protection:5.8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vsphere_data_protection:5.8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vsphere_data_protection:5.8.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vsphere_data_protection:5.8.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vsphere_data_protection:5.8.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vsphere_data_protection:6.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vsphere_data_protection:6.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vsphere_data_protection:6.0.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vsphere_data_protection:6.0.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vsphere_data_protection:6.0.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vsphere_data_protection:6.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vsphere_data_protection:6.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vsphere_data_protection:6.1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vsphere_data_protection:6.1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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