What is the CVSS score of CVE-2016-7459?

CVE-2016-7459 has a CVSS 3.0 base score of 7.7 (High). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.5%.

Is there a patch available for CVE-2016-7459?

Yes, a patch is available for CVE-2016-7459. Update the affected software to the latest version immediately.

Vcenter Server CVE-2016-7459

HIGH

Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference (CWE-611)

2016-12-29 security@vmware.com

XXE VMware Vcenter Server

7.7

CVSS 3.0 · NVD

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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness	CWE CWE-611 OWASP Top 10:2025 A02:2025 - Security Misconfiguration ASVS 5.0 V13 - Configuration XML external entity prevention MITRE ATT&CK 2 techniques across 2 tactics: Initial Access, Collection The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. Sign in to read
Impact	CVSS score of 7.7 (HIGH). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction not required. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.55%.
Exploit ScenarioDerived	A remote attacker could read arbitrary files or perform SSRF through XML processing by sending crafted requests to the affected application.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).

Patch available 0.5% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

VMware vCenter Server 5.5 before U3e and 6.0 before U2a allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via a (1) Log Browser, (2) Distributed Switch setup, or (3) Content Library XML. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability could allow attackers to read arbitrary files or perform SSRF through XML processing.

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Disable external entity processing in XML parsers, use JSON instead of XML where possible.

Affects your stack

Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified as XML External Entity (XXE) (CWE-611), which allows attackers to read arbitrary files or perform SSRF through XML processing. VMware vCenter Server 5.5 before U3e and 6.0 before U2a allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via a (1) Log Browser, (2) Distributed Switch setup, or (3) Content Library XML document containing an external entity declaration in conjunction with an entity reference, related to an XML External Entity (XXE) issue. Affected products include: Vmware Vcenter Server.

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Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 7.7 HIGH

AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector

Network

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

Low

User Interaction

None

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

None

Availability

None

DescriptionCVE.org

VMware vCenter Server 5.5 before U3e and 6.0 before U2a allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via a (1) Log Browser, (2) Distributed Switch setup, or (3) Content Library XML document containing an external entity declaration in conjunction with an entity reference, related to an XML External Entity (XXE) issue.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score

0.5%

Top 32% exploitable

Data Quality

3 sources

Confidence: Low

NVD

CVE.org

EPSS

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue

Severity HIGH

CISA KEV No

Public POC No

EPSS 0.5%

Patch available Yes

Active threat No

Deciding rule

HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)

What every action level means

Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.

Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived

Scheduled

Exploitation· derived

None

System Exposure· derived

Open

Automatable· derived

Human Impact· derived

Medium

Priority Score

Low Medium High Critical

KEV: 0

EPSS: +1

CVSS: +38

PoC: 0

Weaponized: 0

Threat intel: 0

Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

XML External Entity Injection HIGH

XML External Entity (XXE) attacks exploit XML parsers that process Document Type Definitions (DTDs) without proper restrictions.

Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:5.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:5.5:1:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:5.5:2:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:5.5:3a:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:5.5:3b:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.0:1:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.0:1b:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.0:2:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.0:2m:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.0:a:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.0:b:*:*:*:*:*:*

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References

Advisories & patches

PATCH http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2016-0022.html REF http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94486 REF http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037329

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