Out-of-bounds write in VMware Workstation and Horizon Client for Windows
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · None · Low
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
VMware Workstation (15.x) and Horizon Client for Windows (5.x before 5.4.4) contain a denial of service vulnerability due to an out-of-bounds write issue in Cortado ThinPrint component. A malicious actor with normal access to a virtual machine may be able to exploit this issue to create a partial denial-of-service condition on the system where Workstation or Horizon Client for Windows is installed. Exploitation is only possible if virtual printing has been enabled. This feature is not enabled by default on Workstation but it is enabled by default on Horizon Client.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | VMware Workstation and Horizon Client for Windows | VMware Workstation (15.x), Horizon Client for Windows (5.x before 5.4.4) | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- VMware Workstation and Horizon Client for Windows Vendor— Affected VMware Workstation (15.x), Horizon Client for Windows (5.x before 5.4.4) Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 3
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:vmware:horizon_client:*:*:*:*:*:windows:*:* | 5.0.0 to before 5.4.4 | Vulnerable | VMware |
| cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation_player:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 15.0.0 to before 16.0.0 | Vulnerable | VMware |
| cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation_pro:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 15.0.0 to before 16.0.0 | Vulnerable | VMware |
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:horizon_client:*:*:*:*:*:windows:*:* Versions 5.0.0 to before 5.4.4 Vulnerable ·VMware
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation_player:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 15.0.0 to before 16.0.0 Vulnerable ·VMware
- cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation_pro:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 15.0.0 to before 16.0.0 Vulnerable ·VMware
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2020-3989
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-mxr8-pvvp-fw5r
References
More VMware Horizon Client vulnerabilities
- TI-2020-03448 Improper privilege management in VMware Fusion, VMware Remote Console for Mac and Horizon… KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2020-03472 VMware Fusion (11.x before 11.5.5), VMware Remote Console for Mac (11.x and prior before… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2020-03459 Incorrect permission assignment in VMware Horizon Client for Windows CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2019-03948 Incorrect permission assignment in VMware Horizon Client for Windows CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2018-05086 VMware Horizon Client for Linux (4.x before 4.8.0 and prior) contains a local privilege… CVSS 3.0HIGH 7.8
- TI-2018-05092 Out-of-bounds read in VMware Horizon 6, Horizon 7, and Horizon Client CVSS 3.0MEDIUM 6.5
Sources
- CVE-2020-3989 · CVE Program
- CVE-2020-3989 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-mxr8-pvvp-fw5r · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences