CVE-2016-2077: VMware Workstation 11.x before 11.1.3 and VMware Player 7.x before 7.1.3 on Windows incorrectly access an exec

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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2016-2077 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting player, workstation. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

VMware Workstation 11.x before 11.1.3 and VMware Player 7.x before 7.1.3 on Windows incorrectly access an executable file, which allows host OS users to gain host OS privileges via unspecified vectors.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.8% (top 21%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2016-05-18
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: vmware

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2016-05-18 14:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:43 UTCUpdated Record last modified

vmware player DOWNGRADE

Affected: 7.0 · 7.1 · 7.1.1 · 7.1.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 7.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison player sudo apt install player=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0> sudo apt-mark hold player

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

dnf --showduplicates list player sudo dnf downgrade player-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0> 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.

vmware workstation DOWNGRADE

Affected: 11.0 · 11.1 · 11.1.1 · 11.1.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 11.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 11.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison workstation sudo apt install workstation=<VERSION_BEFORE_11.0> sudo apt-mark hold workstation

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

dnf --showduplicates list workstation sudo dnf downgrade workstation-<VERSION_BEFORE_11.0> 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.

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-2016-2077?

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

Is CVE-2016-2077 being exploited?

CVE-2016-2077 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-2016-2077 affect?

CVE-2016-2077 affects player, workstation. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). VMware Workstation 11.x before 11.1.3 and VMware Player 7.x before 7.1.3 on Windows incorrectly access an executable file, which allows host OS users to gain host OS privileges via unspecified vectors.

How urgent is CVE-2016-2077?

Priority 59/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

Windows vulnerabilities · VMware vulnerabilities

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References

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