CVE-2013-1662: vmware-mount in VMware Workstation 8.x and 9.x and VMware Player 4.x and 5.x, on systems based on Debian GNU/L

This month

MEDIUM 6.9WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2013-1662 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.9) affecting workstation, player. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

vmware-mount in VMware Workstation 8.x and 9.x and VMware Player 4.x and 5.x, on systems based on Debian GNU/Linux, allows host OS users to gain host OS privileges via a crafted lsb_release binary in a directory in the PATH, related to use of the popen library function.

Why this priority

EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.9 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	4.6% (top 8%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2013-08-24
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: vmware

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2013-08-24 01:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:51 UTCUpdated Record last modified

vmware workstation DOWNGRADE

Affected: 8.0 · 8.0.0.18997 · 8.0.1 · 8.0.1.27038 · 8.0.2 · 8.0.3 · 8.0.4 · 8.0.5

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy workstation || rpm -q workstation || workstation --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 8.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison workstation sudo apt install workstation=<VERSION_BEFORE_8.0> sudo apt-mark hold workstation

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list workstation sudo dnf downgrade workstation-<VERSION_BEFORE_8.0> sudo dnf versionlock add workstation

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

vmware player DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.0 · 4.0.0.18997 · 4.0.1 · 4.0.2 · 4.0.3 · 4.0.4 · 4.0.5 · 4.0.6

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy player || rpm -q player || player --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison player sudo apt install player=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo apt-mark hold player

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list player sudo dnf downgrade player-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add player

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: VMware - Setuid VMware-mount Popen lsb_release Privilege Escalation
Exploit-DB: VMware - Setuid VMware-mount Unsafe popen(3) (Metasploit)
Metasploit: VMWare Setuid vmware-mount Unsafe popen(3)

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2013-1662?

workstation: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; player: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2013-1662 being exploited?

CVE-2013-1662 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2013-1662 affect?

CVE-2013-1662 affects workstation, player. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.9). vmware-mount in VMware Workstation 8.x and 9.x and VMware Player 4.x and 5.x, on systems based on Debian GNU/Linux, allows host OS users to gain host OS privileges via a crafted lsb_release binary in a directory in the PATH, related to use

How urgent is CVE-2013-1662?

Priority 57/100. EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities · VMware vulnerabilities

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References

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