CVE-2020-3952
CVE-2020-3952 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Vmware Vcenter Server with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming it has been exploited in the wild (added 2021-11-03). The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-306.
Key facts
- Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
- CVSS v2: 6.8
- EPSS exploit prediction: 90% (100th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Yes — listed in CISA KEV (added 2021-11-03)
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2020-25217
- EU exploitation: Flagged exploited in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (since 2021-11-03)
- Weakness: CWE-306
- Affected product: Vmware Vcenter Server
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Under certain conditions, vmdir that ships with VMware vCenter Server, as part of an embedded or external Platform Services Controller (PSC), does not correctly implement access controls.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2020-3952?
- Under certain conditions, vmdir that ships with VMware vCenter Server, as part of an embedded or external Platform Services Controller (PSC), does not correctly implement access controls.
- How severe is CVE-2020-3952?
- CVE-2020-3952 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2020-3952 being actively exploited?
- Yes. CVE-2020-3952 is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added on 2021-11-03, which means active exploitation has been confirmed. It should be prioritised for remediation.
- What products are affected by CVE-2020-3952?
- CVE-2020-3952 affects Vmware Vcenter Server. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2020-3952?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Because this CVE is known to be actively exploited, treat remediation as urgent — CISA KEV typically sets a short remediation deadline.
- Does CVE-2020-3952 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2020-3952 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2020-25217. It is also flagged as exploited in the EUVD (since 2021-11-03).
- When was CVE-2020-3952 published?
- CVE-2020-3952 was published on 2020-04-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/157896/VMware-vCenter-Server-6.7-Authentication-Bypass.html
- https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2020-0006
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-3952
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.7:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
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