How severe is CVE-2020-3972?

CVE-2020-3972 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 3.3, rated low severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability low.

Is CVE-2020-3972 being actively exploited?

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

What products are affected by CVE-2020-3972?

CVE-2020-3972 affects Vmware Tools. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-3972?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2020-3972 published?

CVE-2020-3972 was published on 2020-06-19 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-3972

CVE-2020-3972 is a low-severity vulnerability in Vmware Tools with a CVSS 3.x base score of 3.3. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: Low (CVSS 3.x base score 3.3)
CVSS v2: 2.1
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (30th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Vmware Tools
Published: 2020-06-19
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

VMware Tools for macOS (11.x.x and prior before 11.1.1) contains a denial-of-service vulnerability in the Host-Guest File System (HGFS) implementation. Successful exploitation of this issue may allow attackers with non-admin privileges on guest macOS virtual machines to create a denial-of-service condition on their own VMs.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-3972?: VMware Tools for macOS (11.x.x and prior before 11.1.1) contains a denial-of-service vulnerability in the Host-Guest File System (HGFS) implementation. Successful exploitation of this issue may allow attackers with non-admin privileges on guest macOS virtual machines to create a denial-of-service condition on their own VMs.
How severe is CVE-2020-3972?: CVE-2020-3972 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 3.3, rated low severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability low.
Is CVE-2020-3972 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (30th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-3972?: CVE-2020-3972 affects Vmware Tools. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-3972?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2020-3972 published?: CVE-2020-3972 was published on 2020-06-19 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2020-0014.html

Affected products (1)

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

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