CVE-2012-1516

What it is

The VMX process in VMware ESXi 3.5 through 4.1 and ESX 3.5 through 4.1 does not properly handle RPC commands, which allows guest OS users to cause a denial of service (memory overwrite and process crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code on the host OS via vectors involving data pointers.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network with a low-privilege account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.

Exploit odds

3.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2012-05-04 16:55 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-16 23:39 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 3.2% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 9.9 CRITICAL (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2012-05-04 16:55 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-16 23:39 UTC

Exploit probability

3.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-119 · Buffer errors

Record status

Modified

Affected

• VMware Esx 3.5
• VMware Esx 4.0
• VMware Esx 4.1
• VMware Esxi 3.5
• VMware Esxi 4.0
• VMware Esxi 4.1

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 9.9

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2012-1516.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2012-1516. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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