CVE-2016-7456

Status: ModifiedCritical (9.8)—
VMware vSphere Data Protection (VDP) 5.5.x though 6.1.x has an SSH private key with a publicly known password, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain login access via an SSH session.
CVSS

Version: 3.0
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Base score: 9.8
Exploitation probability (EPSS)

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days: 33%
Percentile among all scored CVEs: 98
Score date: 10/3/2026
EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System, FIRST) estimates how likely a vulnerability is to be exploited in the wild within 30 days. It complements CVSS (impact) and CISA KEV (confirmed exploitation).
Affected technologies (1)

Vmware — Vsphere Data Protection
CWEs

CWE-255
References

Raw JSON (NVD)

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{
  "id": "CVE-2016-7456",
  "cveTags": [],
  "metrics": {
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        "source": "nvd@nist.gov",
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          "accessVector": "NETWORK",
          "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C",
          "authentication": "NONE",
          "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE",
          "accessComplexity": "LOW",
          "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE",
          "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE"
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        "acInsufInfo": false,
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        "baseSeverity": "HIGH",
        "obtainAllPrivilege": false,
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          "baseSeverity": "CRITICAL",
          "vectorString": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
          "integrityImpact": "HIGH",
          "userInteraction": "NONE",
          "attackComplexity": "LOW",
          "availabilityImpact": "HIGH",
          "privilegesRequired": "NONE",
          "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH"
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        "impactScore": 5.9,
        "exploitabilityScore": 3.9
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  "affected": [
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      "source": "security@vmware.com",
      "affectedData": [
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          "vendor": "n/a",
          "product": "n/a",
          "versions": [
            {
              "status": "affected",
              "version": "n/a"
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  "published": "2016-12-29T09:59:00.540",
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    {
      "url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94990",
      "tags": [
        "Third Party Advisory",
        "VDB Entry"
      ],
      "source": "security@vmware.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037502",
      "tags": [
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        "VDB Entry"
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      "source": "security@vmware.com"
    },
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      "tags": [
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      "source": "security@vmware.com"
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      "tags": [
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  "vulnStatus": "Modified",
  "weaknesses": [
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      "source": "nvd@nist.gov",
      "description": [
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    },
    {
      "lang": "es",
      "value": "VMware vSphere Data Protection (VDP) 5.5.x hasta la versión 6.1.x tiene una clave privada SSH con una contraseña públicamente conocida, lo que hace más fácil a atacantes remotos obtener acceso de inicio de sesión a través de una sesión SSH."
    }
  ],
  "lastModified": "2026-06-17T00:53:06.093",
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