CVE-2020-3952 remediation guide

VMware vCenter Server

Under certain conditions, vmdir that ships with VMware vCenter Server, as part of an embedded or external Platform Services Controller (PSC), does not correctly implement access controls.

Open CVE record

Research in progress

A verified fixed-version field is not available. Use the linked NVD and supporting references, then confirm the vendor-supported path before changing production systems.

ProductVMware vCenter Server

Affected versionsvCenter Server 6.7 (embedded or external PSC) prior to 6.7u3f is affected by CVE-2020-3952 if it was upgraded from a previous release line such as 6.0 or 6.5. Clean installations of vCenter Server 6.7 (embedded or external PSC) are not affected., 6.7

Fixed versionsNo verified fixed-version field is available yet

Priority basisImmediate · CVSS 9.8 · EPSS 90.4%

Identify the affected asset

Confirm whether VMware vCenter Server is installed, record the deployed version and installation path, and identify exposed interfaces.

Record the product name, package or appliance identifier, and installed version.
Identify internet-facing, administrative, API, and internal access paths.
Preserve the pre-change configuration and relevant service logs.

Validate the affected-version match

Compare the deployed version with the affected range: vCenter Server 6.7 (embedded or external PSC) prior to 6.7u3f is affected by CVE-2020-3952 if it was upgraded from a previous release line such as 6.0 or 6.5. Clean installations of vCenter Server 6.7 (embedded or external PSC) are not affected., 6.7. Treat incomplete inventory results as unresolved.

Prioritize with independent signals

CISA has listed this vulnerability in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Combine this signal with asset criticality, exposure, compensating controls, and business impact.

Apply supported remediation

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Verify the result

Confirm the resulting version, service health, authentication and access paths, monitoring coverage, and relevant security logs.

Confirm the expected version and package state.
Run a functional health check for critical service paths.
Review authentication, error, application, and security monitoring logs.
Reassess exposure if the supported fix cannot be applied.

Operational boundary

This page does not replace the vendor advisory, support contract, change-management process, or recovery plan. Do not infer that an asset is unaffected from an incomplete inventory query or a missing fixed-version field.