How severe is CVE-2016-7459?

CVE-2016-7459 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.7, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.

Is CVE-2016-7459 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (77th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-7459?

CVE-2016-7459 primarily affects Vmware Vcenter Server. In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-7459?

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-2016-7459 published?

CVE-2016-7459 was published on 2016-12-29 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-7459

CVE-2016-7459 is a high-severity vulnerability in Vmware Vcenter Server with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.7. 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-611.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.7)
CVSS v2: 4.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (77th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-611
Affected product: Vmware Vcenter Server
Published: 2016-12-29
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

VMware vCenter Server 5.5 before U3e and 6.0 before U2a allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via a (1) Log Browser, (2) Distributed Switch setup, or (3) Content Library XML document containing an external entity declaration in conjunction with an entity reference, related to an XML External Entity (XXE) issue.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-7459?: VMware vCenter Server 5.5 before U3e and 6.0 before U2a allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via a (1) Log Browser, (2) Distributed Switch setup, or (3) Content Library XML document containing an external entity declaration in conjunction with an entity reference, related to an XML External Entity (XXE) issue.
How severe is CVE-2016-7459?: CVE-2016-7459 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.7, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
Is CVE-2016-7459 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (77th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-7459?: CVE-2016-7459 primarily affects Vmware Vcenter Server. In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-7459?: 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-2016-7459 published?: CVE-2016-7459 was published on 2016-12-29 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (13)

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:5.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:5.5:1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:5.5:2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:5.5:3a:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:5.5:3b:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.0:1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.0:1b:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.0:2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.0:2m:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.0:a:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.0:b:*:*:*:*:*:*

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