---
id: CVE-2020-3992
title: >-
  OpenSLP as used in VMware ESXi (7.0 before ESXi_7.0.1-0.0.16850804, 6.7 before
  ESXi670-202010401-SG, 6.5 before ESXi650-202010401-SG) has a use-after-free
  issue
summary: >-
  OpenSLP as used in VMware ESXi (7.0 before ESXi_7.0.1-0.0.16850804, 6.7 before
  ESXi670-202010401-SG, 6.5 before ESXi650-202010401-SG) has a use-after-free
  issue. A malicious actor residing in the management network who has access to
  port…
severity: critical
cvss: 9.8
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'
cwe:
  - CWE-416
  - CWE-416
vendor: vmware
product: cloud_foundation
affected:
  - 'cloud_foundation >= 3.0, < 3.10.1.2'
  - 'cloud_foundation >= 4.0, < 4.1.0.1'
  - esxi = 6.5
  - esxi = 6.7
  - esxi = 7.0.0
patched:
  - cloud_foundation 4.1.0.1
published: '2020-10-20'
updated: '2026-08-12'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-3992'
references:
  - url: 'https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2020-0023.html'
    label: security@vmware.com
  - url: 'https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1377/'
    label: security@vmware.com
  - url: 'https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1385/'
    label: security@vmware.com
  - url: 'https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2020-0023.html'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: 'https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1377/'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: 'https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1385/'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: >-
      https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-3992
    label: 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
tags:
  - nvd
  - kev
  - in-the-wild
  - exploit-available
epss: 0.83015
epssPercentile: 0.99659
kev: true
kevDateAdded: '2021-11-03'
kevDueDate: '2022-05-03'
kevRansomware: true
exploited: true
zeroDay: true
ingestedAt: '2026-08-12T05:52:07.652Z'
exploits:
  github: 2
  githubRepos:
    - 'https://github.com/HynekPetrak/CVE-2019-5544_CVE-2020-3992'
    - 'https://github.com/dgh05t/VMware_ESXI_OpenSLP_PoCs'
  checkedAt: '2026-09-24T07:52:47.200Z'
exploitAvailable: true
---

## Overview

OpenSLP as used in VMware ESXi (7.0 before ESXi_7.0.1-0.0.16850804, 6.7 before ESXi670-202010401-SG, 6.5 before ESXi650-202010401-SG) has a use-after-free issue. A malicious actor residing in the management network who has access to port 427 on an ESXi machine may be able to trigger a use-after-free in the OpenSLP service resulting in remote code execution.

## Affected

- `cloud_foundation >= 3.0, < 3.10.1.2`
- `cloud_foundation >= 4.0, < 4.1.0.1`
- `esxi = 6.5`
- `esxi = 6.7`
- `esxi = 7.0.0`

## Remediation

Upgrade past the affected range:

- `cloud_foundation 4.1.0.1`