How severe is CVE-2020-3941?

CVE-2020-3941 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-3941 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (21st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-3941?

CVE-2020-3941 affects Vmware Tools. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-3941?

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-2020-3941 published?

CVE-2020-3941 was published on 2020-01-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-3941

CVE-2020-3941 is a high-severity vulnerability in Vmware Tools with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0. 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-362.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.0)
CVSS v2: 4.4
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (21st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-362
Affected product: Vmware Tools
Published: 2020-01-15
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The repair operation of VMware Tools for Windows 10.x.y has a race condition which may allow for privilege escalation in the Virtual Machine where Tools is installed. This vulnerability is not present in VMware Tools 11.x.y since the affected functionality is not present in VMware Tools 11.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-3941?: The repair operation of VMware Tools for Windows 10.x.y has a race condition which may allow for privilege escalation in the Virtual Machine where Tools is installed. This vulnerability is not present in VMware Tools 11.x.y since the affected functionality is not present in VMware Tools 11.
How severe is CVE-2020-3941?: CVE-2020-3941 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-3941 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (21st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-3941?: CVE-2020-3941 affects Vmware Tools. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-3941?: 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-2020-3941 published?: CVE-2020-3941 was published on 2020-01-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2020-0002.html

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:tools:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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