How severe is CVE-2019-5526?

CVE-2019-5526 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2019-5526 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 9% (95th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2019-5526?

CVE-2019-5526 affects Vmware Workstation. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2019-5526?

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-2019-5526 published?

CVE-2019-5526 was published on 2019-05-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2019-5526

CVE-2019-5526 is a high-severity vulnerability in Vmware Workstation 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-427.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 9.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 9% (95th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-427
Affected product: Vmware Workstation
Published: 2019-05-15
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

VMware Workstation (15.x before 15.1.0) contains a DLL hijacking issue because some DLL files are improperly loaded by the application. Successful exploitation of this issue may allow attackers with normal user privileges to escalate their privileges to administrator on a windows host where Workstation is installed.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2019-5526?: VMware Workstation (15.x before 15.1.0) contains a DLL hijacking issue because some DLL files are improperly loaded by the application. Successful exploitation of this issue may allow attackers with normal user privileges to escalate their privileges to administrator on a windows host where Workstation is installed.
How severe is CVE-2019-5526?: CVE-2019-5526 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2019-5526 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 9% (95th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2019-5526?: CVE-2019-5526 affects Vmware Workstation. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2019-5526?: 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-2019-5526 published?: CVE-2019-5526 was published on 2019-05-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

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

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