How severe is CVE-2017-4940?

CVE-2017-4940 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.1, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability none.

Is CVE-2017-4940 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (56th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-4940?

CVE-2017-4940 primarily affects Vmware Esxi. In total, 120 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-4940?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2017-4940 published?

CVE-2017-4940 was published on 2017-12-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-4940

CVE-2017-4940 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Vmware Esxi with a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.1. 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-79.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 6.1)
CVSS v2: 4.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (56th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-79
Affected product: Vmware Esxi
Published: 2017-12-20
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The ESXi Host Client in VMware ESXi (6.5 before ESXi650-201712103-SG, 5.5 before ESXi600-201711103-SG and 5.5 before ESXi550-201709102-SG) contains a vulnerability that may allow for stored cross-site scripting (XSS). An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by injecting Javascript, which might get executed when other users access the Host Client.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-4940?: The ESXi Host Client in VMware ESXi (6.5 before ESXi650-201712103-SG, 5.5 before ESXi600-201711103-SG and 5.5 before ESXi550-201709102-SG) contains a vulnerability that may allow for stored cross-site scripting (XSS). An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by injecting Javascript, which might get executed when other users access the Host Client.
How severe is CVE-2017-4940?: CVE-2017-4940 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.1, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability none.
Is CVE-2017-4940 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (56th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-4940?: CVE-2017-4940 primarily affects Vmware Esxi. In total, 120 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-4940?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2017-4940 published?: CVE-2017-4940 was published on 2017-12-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (120)

cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:5.5:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:5.5:1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:5.5:2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:5.5:3a:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:5.5:3b:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:5.5:550-20170901001s:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:1a:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:1b:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:3a:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201504401:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201505401:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201507101:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201507102:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201507401:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201507402:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201507403:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201507404:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201507405:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201507406:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201507407:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201509101:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201509102:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201509201:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201509202:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201509203:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201509204:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201509205:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201509206:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201509207:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201509208:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201509209:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201509210:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201510401:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201511401:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201601101:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.0:600-201601102:*:*:*:*:*:*

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