How severe is CVE-2019-5543?

CVE-2019-5543 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-2019-5543 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (31st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2019-5543?

CVE-2019-5543 primarily affects Vmware Horizon Client. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2019-5543?

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-2019-5543 published?

CVE-2019-5543 was published on 2020-03-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2019-5543

CVE-2019-5543 is a high-severity vulnerability in Vmware Horizon Client 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-732.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (31st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-732
Affected product: Vmware Horizon Client
Published: 2020-03-16
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

For VMware Horizon Client for Windows (5.x and prior before 5.3.0), VMware Remote Console for Windows (10.x before 11.0.0), VMware Workstation for Windows (15.x before 15.5.2) the folder containing configuration files for the VMware USB arbitration service was found to be writable by all users. A local user on the system where the software is installed may exploit this issue to run commands as any user.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2019-5543?: For VMware Horizon Client for Windows (5.x and prior before 5.3.0), VMware Remote Console for Windows (10.x before 11.0.0), VMware Workstation for Windows (15.x before 15.5.2) the folder containing configuration files for the VMware USB arbitration service was found to be writable by all users. A local user on the system where the software is installed may exploit this issue to run commands as any user.
How severe is CVE-2019-5543?: CVE-2019-5543 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-2019-5543 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (31st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2019-5543?: CVE-2019-5543 primarily affects Vmware Horizon Client. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2019-5543?: 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-2019-5543 published?: CVE-2019-5543 was published on 2020-03-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2020-0004.html

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:horizon_client:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:remote_console:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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