IRONSMITHINTEL
CRITICALCVSS9.8
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2020-3952|Auth: none — unauthenticated|Reboot: required|Manual only

VMware vCenter Server Information Disclosure Vulnerability

VMware vCenter Server contains an information disclosure vulnerability in the VMware Directory Service (vmdir) when the Platform Services Controller (PSC) does not correctly implement access controls. Successful exploitation allows an attacker with network access to port 389 to extract sensitive information.

Published Apr 10, 2020 · Updated May 16, 2026
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A remote attacker, without authentication, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data, complete denial of service or system unavailability. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2022-05-03 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Missing Authentication for Critical Function (CWE-306) vulnerability in VMware vCenter Server. Under certain conditions, vmdir that ships with VMware vCenter Server, as part of an embedded or external Platform Services Controller (PSC), does not correctly implement access controls. Exploitation requires remote network access, low attack complexity, no authentication required, and no user interaction required.

📧

Phishing link

🖼

Malicious file

🔓

Server compromised

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

Virtualisation Administrators
Infrastructure Team
IT Security
Running vcenter server: 6.7
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

Active exploitation documented in the wild. Threat-research write-up: http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/157896/VMware-vCenter-Server-6.7-Authentication-Bypass.html

How to patch

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Vendor Patch

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog — apply the vendor's security update as soon as possible.

CISA required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

References

    1
    Vendor advisory: https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2020-0006
    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-3952
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-3952
PowerShell automationComing soon

No tested PowerShell script for this entry yet. We’re prioritising automation based on user demand.