How severe is CVE-2019-5540?

CVE-2019-5540 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.7, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.

Is CVE-2019-5540 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (63rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2019-5540?

CVE-2019-5540 primarily affects Vmware Workstation. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2019-5540?

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-2019-5540 published?

CVE-2019-5540 was published on 2019-11-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2019-5540

CVE-2019-5540 is a high-severity vulnerability in Vmware Workstation with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.7. 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-401.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.7)
CVSS v2: 4.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (63rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-401
Affected product: Vmware Workstation
Published: 2019-11-20
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

VMware Workstation (15.x before 15.5.1) and Fusion (11.x before 11.5.1) contain an information disclosure vulnerability in vmnetdhcp. Successful exploitation of this issue may allow an attacker on a guest VM to disclose sensitive information by leaking memory from the host process.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2019-5540?: VMware Workstation (15.x before 15.5.1) and Fusion (11.x before 11.5.1) contain an information disclosure vulnerability in vmnetdhcp. Successful exploitation of this issue may allow an attacker on a guest VM to disclose sensitive information by leaking memory from the host process.
How severe is CVE-2019-5540?: CVE-2019-5540 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.7, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
Is CVE-2019-5540 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (63rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2019-5540?: CVE-2019-5540 primarily affects Vmware Workstation. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2019-5540?: 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-2019-5540 published?: CVE-2019-5540 was published on 2019-11-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2019-0021.html

Affected products (2)

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

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