CVE-2020-3946: InstallBuilder AutoUpdate tool and regular installers enabling <checkForUpdates> built with versions earlier t

Q: How do I fix CVE-2020-3946?

installbuilder: upgrade to 19.11.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2020-3946 being exploited?

CVE-2020-3946 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2020-3946 affect?

CVE-2020-3946 affects installbuilder. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). InstallBuilder AutoUpdate tool and regular installers enabling built with versions earlier than 19.11 are vulnerable to Billion laughs attack (denial-of-service).

This month

HIGH 7.5REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2020-3946 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting installbuilder. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

InstallBuilder AutoUpdate tool and regular installers enabling <checkForUpdates> built with versions earlier than 19.11 are vulnerable to Billion laughs attack (denial-of-service).

Why this priority

High severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.0% (top 36%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-776
Published	2020-04-20
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): VMware · Vendor: vmware

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-04-20 20:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:19 UTCUpdated Record last modified

vmware installbuilder UPGRADE

Affected: < 19.11.0

Fixed in: 19.11.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 19.11.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade installbuilder

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade installbuilder

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

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-2020-3946?

installbuilder: upgrade to 19.11.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-3946 being exploited?

CVE-2020-3946 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-2020-3946 affect?

CVE-2020-3946 affects installbuilder. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). InstallBuilder AutoUpdate tool and regular installers enabling <checkForUpdates> built with versions earlier than 19.11 are vulnerable to Billion laughs attack (denial-of-service).

How urgent is CVE-2020-3946?

Priority 47/100. High severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

VMware vulnerabilities

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References

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