How severe is CVE-2017-4898?

CVE-2017-4898 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, 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-2017-4898 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (31st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-4898?

CVE-2017-4898 primarily affects Vmware Workstation Player. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-4898?

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-2017-4898 published?

CVE-2017-4898 was published on 2017-06-07 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-4898

CVE-2017-4898 is a high-severity vulnerability in Vmware Workstation Player with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
CVSS v2: 6.9
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (31st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Vmware Workstation Player
Published: 2017-06-07
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

VMware Workstation Pro/Player 12.x before 12.5.3 contains a DLL loading vulnerability that occurs due to the "vmware-vmx" process loading DLLs from a path defined in the local environment-variable. Successful exploitation of this issue may allow normal users to escalate privileges to System in the host machine where VMware Workstation is installed.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-4898?: VMware Workstation Pro/Player 12.x before 12.5.3 contains a DLL loading vulnerability that occurs due to the "vmware-vmx" process loading DLLs from a path defined in the local environment-variable. Successful exploitation of this issue may allow normal users to escalate privileges to System in the host machine where VMware Workstation is installed.
How severe is CVE-2017-4898?: CVE-2017-4898 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, 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-2017-4898 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (31st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-4898?: CVE-2017-4898 primarily affects Vmware Workstation Player. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-4898?: 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-2017-4898 published?: CVE-2017-4898 was published on 2017-06-07 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (12)

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:12.5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation_player:12.5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation_player:12.5.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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:12.5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation_pro:12.5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation_pro:12.5.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Vmware Workstation Player

CVE-2017-4904 — High (CVSS 8.8): The XHCI controller in VMware ESXi 6.5 without patch ESXi650-201703410-SG, 6.0 U3 without patch ESXi600-201703401-SG,…
CVE-2017-4903 — High (CVSS 8.8): VMware ESXi 6.5 without patch ESXi650-201703410-SG, 6.0 U3 without patch ESXi600-201703401-SG, 6.0 U2 without patch…
CVE-2017-4902 — High (CVSS 8.8): VMware ESXi 6.5 without patch ESXi650-201703410-SG and 5.5 without patch ESXi550-201703401-SG; Workstation Pro / Player…
CVE-2016-7461 — High (CVSS 8.8): The drag-and-drop (aka DnD) function in VMware Workstation Pro 12.x before 12.5.2 and VMware Workstation Player 12.x…
CVE-2017-4915 — High (CVSS 7.8): VMware Workstation Pro/Player contains an insecure library loading vulnerability via ALSA sound driver configuration…
CVE-2016-7086 — High (CVSS 7.8): The installer in VMware Workstation Pro 12.x before 12.5.0 and VMware Workstation Player 12.x before 12.5.0 on Windows…

All CVEs affecting Vmware Workstation Player →