How severe is CVE-2019-5511?

CVE-2019-5511 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-2019-5511 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (29th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2019-5511?

CVE-2019-5511 affects Vmware Workstation. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2019-5511?

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-2019-5511 published?

CVE-2019-5511 was published on 2019-04-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2019-5511

CVE-2019-5511 is a high-severity vulnerability in Vmware Workstation 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: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (29th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Vmware Workstation
Published: 2019-04-09
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

VMware Workstation (15.x before 15.0.3, 14.x before 14.1.6) running on Windows does not handle paths appropriately. Successful exploitation of this issue may allow the path to the VMX executable, on a Windows host, to be hijacked by a non-administrator leading to elevation of privilege.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2019-5511?: VMware Workstation (15.x before 15.0.3, 14.x before 14.1.6) running on Windows does not handle paths appropriately. Successful exploitation of this issue may allow the path to the VMX executable, on a Windows host, to be hijacked by a non-administrator leading to elevation of privilege.
How severe is CVE-2019-5511?: CVE-2019-5511 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-2019-5511 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (29th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2019-5511?: CVE-2019-5511 affects Vmware Workstation. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2019-5511?: 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-2019-5511 published?: CVE-2019-5511 was published on 2019-04-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2019-0002.html

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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