IRONSMITHINTEL
HIGHCVSS7.5
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2024-38813|Auth: low — authenticated user|Reboot: required|Manual only

VMware vCenter Server Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

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.

Published Sep 17, 2024 · Updated May 16, 2026
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A remote attacker, with a low-privilege account, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data, complete denial of service or system unavailability. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2024-12-11 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Software Vulnerability (CWE-250) (CWE-250) vulnerability in VMware vCenter Server. The vCenter Server contains a privilege escalation vulnerability. A malicious actor with network access to vCenter Server may trigger this vulnerability to escalate privileges to root by sending a specially crafted network packet. Exploitation requires remote network access, higher attack complexity, a low-privilege authenticated account, and no user interaction required.

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

Virtualisation Administrators
Infrastructure Team
IT Security
Running cloud foundation: 4.0 ≤ v < 5.2; vcenter server: 7.0, 8.0
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

CISA added this CVE to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2024-11-20 based on evidence of active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies required to remediate by 2024-12-11.

How to patch

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 mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

References

    1
    Vendor advisory: https://support.broadcom.com/web/ecx/support-content-notification/-/external/content/SecurityAdvisories/0/24968
    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-38813
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2024-38813
PowerShell automationComing soon

No tested PowerShell script for this entry yet. We’re prioritising automation based on user demand.