How severe is CVE-2019-5541?

CVE-2019-5541 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.1, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2019-5541 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (69th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2019-5541?

CVE-2019-5541 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-2019-5541?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2019-5541 published?

CVE-2019-5541 was published on 2019-11-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2019-5541

CVE-2019-5541 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Vmware Workstation with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.1. 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-787.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.1)
CVSS v2: 6.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (69th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-787
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 out-of-bounds write vulnerability in the e1000e virtual network adapter. Successful exploitation of this issue may lead to code execution on the host from the guest or may allow attackers to create a denial-of-service condition on their own VM.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2019-5541?: VMware Workstation (15.x before 15.5.1) and Fusion (11.x before 11.5.1) contain an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in the e1000e virtual network adapter. Successful exploitation of this issue may lead to code execution on the host from the guest or may allow attackers to create a denial-of-service condition on their own VM.
How severe is CVE-2019-5541?: CVE-2019-5541 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.1, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2019-5541 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (69th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2019-5541?: CVE-2019-5541 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-2019-5541?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2019-5541 published?: CVE-2019-5541 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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