Exploited vulnerability · CISA KEV

Is CVE-2024-38813 exploited? Yes: in CISA KEV since 20 Nov 2024

Gociux · VMware vCenter Server · data: CISA KEV, CVE record, FIRST EPSS

Yes. CVE-2024-38813, VMware vCenter Server Privilege Escalation Vulnerability, is being exploited in the wild. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 20 Nov 2024, 64 days after it was published. It affects VMware vCenter Server. If you run it, CISA's required action is: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

exploitedYesCISA KEV · 20 Nov 2024

ransomwareNot knownno confirmed use

EPSStop 5%very likely to be exploited

severity7.5CVSS 3.1 · high

US federal due11 Dec 2024BOD 22-01 deadline

What it is

VMware vCenter contains an improper check for dropped privileges vulnerability. This vulnerability could allow an attacker with network access to the vCenter Server to escalate privileges to root by sending a specially crafted packet.

Vendor	VMware (26 exploited CVEs in KEV)
Product	vCenter Server
Vulnerability	VMware vCenter Server Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Weakness	CWE-250, CWE-273
Published	17 Sep 2024
Added to KEV	20 Nov 2024
Reported by (CNA)	vmware

What to do

Check whether you run it. Look for vCenter Server in your asset inventory, including appliances and cloud images. Stack check lists every exploited VMware CVE at once.
Apply the fix. Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
If you can't patch today, take the affected service off the internet or restrict who can reach it, and check its logs for signs of compromise since 17 Sep 2024.
Get told next time. Email alerts when CISA adds a CVE for VMware.

Other exploited CVEs in vCenter Server

CVE-2024-38812: VMware vCenter Server Heap-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability (20 Nov 2024)
CVE-2022-22948: VMware vCenter Server Incorrect Default File Permissions Vulnerability (17 Jul 2024)
CVE-2023-34048: VMware vCenter Server Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability (22 Jan 2024)
CVE-2021-22017: VMware vCenter Server Improper Access Control (10 Jan 2022)
CVE-2021-22005: VMware vCenter Server File Upload Vulnerability (3 Nov 2021)
CVE-2020-3952: VMware vCenter Server Information Disclosure Vulnerability (3 Nov 2021)

References

Questions

Is CVE-2024-38813 being exploited?

Yes. CISA added CVE-2024-38813 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 20 Nov 2024, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild.

Is CVE-2024-38813 used in ransomware attacks?

CISA does not list known ransomware use for it. That can change, and exploitation alone is reason to fix it first.

How do I fix CVE-2024-38813?

Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Check VMware's advisory for the fixed versions, and if you can't patch quickly, restrict access to the affected vCenter Server and watch it for signs of compromise.

Sources: CISA KEV (exploitation, ransomware use, required action, due date), the CVE record (publication date, CVSS, CNA), NVD and FIRST EPSS (live score). More: all KEV additions in November 2024 · VMware scorecard · act-now radar.

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