VMware ESXi OpenSLP Use-After-Free Vulnerability
VMware ESXi OpenSLP contains a use-after-free vulnerability that allows an attacker residing in the management network with access to port 427 to perform remote code execution.
A remote attacker, without authentication, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data, complete denial of service or system unavailability. CISA has confirmed use of this vulnerability in known ransomware campaigns — treat as high priority for remediation. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2022-05-03 under CISA BOD 22-01.
This is a Use After Free (CWE-416) vulnerability in VMware ESXi. OpenSLP as used in VMware ESXi (7.0 before ESXi_7.0.1-0.0.16850804, 6.7 before ESXi670-202010401-SG, 6.5 before ESXi650-202010401-SG) has a use-after-free issue. A malicious actor residing in the management network who has access to port 427 on an ESXi machine may be able to trigger a use-after-free in the OpenSLP service resulting in remote code execution. Exploitation requires remote network access, low attack complexity, no authentication required, and no user interaction required.
📧
Phishing link
🖼
Malicious file
🔓
Server compromised
Probably yes if any of these apply:
CISA confirms this CVE has been used in known ransomware campaigns. Added to the KEV catalog on 2021-11-03; federal agencies required to remediate by 2022-05-03.
Manual remediation steps
Apply the Vendor Patch
This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog — apply the vendor's security update as soon as possible.
CISA required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
References
No tested PowerShell script for this entry yet. We’re prioritising automation based on user demand.
References