CVE-2012-1517

9.0 HIGH 2% exploit odds Fix listed Memory safety OS & kernel

What it is

The VMX process in VMware ESXi 4.1 and ESX 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 function pointers.

At a glance

Exploitability: Can be exploited over the network with a login. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
Exploit odds: 2.4% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Fix: A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

2012-05-04 16:55 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
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: 2.4% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Severity: 9.0 HIGH (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: 2.4% · EPSS, next 30 days
Weakness: CWE-119 · Buffer errors
Record status: Modified

Affected

VMware Esx 4.1
VMware Esxi 4.1

Attack profile CVSS 2.0 · 9.0

Attack vector: Network
Complexity: Low
Authentication: Single
Confidentiality: Complete
Integrity: Complete
Availability: Complete

Raw vector

AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C

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-2012-1517.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2012-1517. 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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Fix and advisories

References

NVD record · CVE.org record