How severe is CVE-2017-4943?

CVE-2017-4943 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-2017-4943 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (28th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-4943?

CVE-2017-4943 primarily affects Vmware Vcenter Server. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-4943?

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-2017-4943 published?

CVE-2017-4943 was published on 2017-12-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-4943

CVE-2017-4943 is a high-severity vulnerability in Vmware Vcenter Server 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-787.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (28th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-787
Affected product: Vmware Vcenter Server
Published: 2017-12-20
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

VMware vCenter Server Appliance (vCSA) (6.5 before 6.5 U1d) contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability via the 'showlog' plugin. Successful exploitation of this issue could result in a low privileged user gaining root level privileges over the appliance base OS.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-4943?: VMware vCenter Server Appliance (vCSA) (6.5 before 6.5 U1d) contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability via the 'showlog' plugin. Successful exploitation of this issue could result in a low privileged user gaining root level privileges over the appliance base OS.
How severe is CVE-2017-4943?: CVE-2017-4943 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-2017-4943 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (28th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-4943?: CVE-2017-4943 primarily affects Vmware Vcenter Server. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-4943?: 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-2017-4943 published?: CVE-2017-4943 was published on 2017-12-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (9)

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:a:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:b:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:c:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:d:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:e:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:f:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update1b:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update1c:*:*:*:*:*:*

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