CVE-2020-4005

CVE-2020-4005 is a high-severity vulnerability in Vmware Cloud Foundation 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.

Key facts

• Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
• CVSS v2: 7.2
• EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (30th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Affected product: Vmware Cloud Foundation
• Published: 2020-11-20
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

VMware ESXi (7.0 before ESXi70U1b-17168206, 6.7 before ESXi670-202011101-SG, 6.5 before ESXi650-202011301-SG) contains a privilege-escalation vulnerability that exists in the way certain system calls are being managed. A malicious actor with privileges within the VMX process only, may escalate their privileges on the affected system. Successful exploitation of this issue is only possible when chained with another vulnerability (e.g. CVE-2020-4004)

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-4005?

VMware ESXi (7.0 before ESXi70U1b-17168206, 6.7 before ESXi670-202011101-SG, 6.5 before ESXi650-202011301-SG) contains a privilege-escalation vulnerability that exists in the way certain system calls are being managed. A malicious actor with privileges within the VMX process only, may escalate their privileges on the affected system. Successful exploitation of this issue is only possible when chained with another vulnerability (e.g. CVE-2020-4004)

How severe is CVE-2020-4005?

CVE-2020-4005 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-2020-4005 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-2020-4005?

CVE-2020-4005 primarily affects Vmware Cloud Foundation. In total, 180 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-4005?

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-2020-4005 published?

CVE-2020-4005 was published on 2020-11-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

• https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2020-0026.html

Affected products (180)

• cpe:2.3:a:vmware:cloud_foundation:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201701001:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201703001:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201703002:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201704001:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707101:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707102:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707103:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707201:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707202:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707203:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707204:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707205:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707206:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707207:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707208:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707209:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707210:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707211:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707212:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707213:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707214:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707215:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707216:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707217:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707218:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707219:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707220:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201707221:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201710001:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201712001:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201803001:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201806001:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201808001:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201810001:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201810002:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201811001:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201811002:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:vmware:esxi:6.5:650-201811301:*:*:*:*:*:*

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