CVE-2024-38812
VMware vCenter Server Heap-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2024-38812 is a critical heap-overflow vulnerability in VMware vCenter Server's implementation of the DCERPC protocol, the centralized management platform for VMware virtualized environments. An unauthenticated attacker with network access to vCenter Server can trigger this flaw by sending a specially crafted network packet, potentially leading to remote code execution. With a maximum-impact CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8, the vulnerability affects vCenter Server versions 7.0 and 8.0 as well as VMware Cloud Foundation versions 4.0 through 5.2. CISA has added CVE-2024-38812 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog with a remediation deadline of December 11, 2024, and its EPSS score of 77.87% at the 99.0th percentile confirms this is among the most actively exploited vulnerabilities in enterprise infrastructure.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorCWEs
Affected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| vmware | cloud foundation | >= 4.0, < 5.2 |
| vmware | vcenter server | 7.0; 8.0 |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
Weakness Type
Heap-Based Buffer Overflow in DCERPC Protocol
CVE-2024-38812 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in VMware vCenter Server's implementation of the Distributed Computing Environment / Remote Procedure Call (DCERPC) protocol. Heap overflows occur when a program writes data beyond the boundaries of a dynamically allocated buffer in heap memory. In this case, the vCenter Server fails to properly validate the size or content of data received through DCERPC protocol messages, allowing an attacker to send oversized or malformed data that overwrites adjacent heap memory. By carefully controlling the overwritten data, an attacker can corrupt heap metadata, overwrite function pointers, or manipulate application data structures to redirect execution flow, ultimately achieving arbitrary code execution on the target system.
Impact Analysis
The impact of CVE-2024-38812 is catastrophic, achieving the highest possible ratings across all CVSS impact metrics. Confidentiality is fully compromised because remote code execution on vCenter Server grants the attacker access to all managed infrastructure secrets, including ESXi host credentials, virtual machine encryption keys, vSphere configuration data, and any sensitive information stored within the vCenter database. The centralized nature of vCenter means that a single exploitation event exposes the credentials and configurations of every managed host and virtual machine.
Integrity is maximally impacted as the attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary code, which means they can modify any data on the system, alter virtual machine configurations, inject malicious code into the management infrastructure, tamper with audit logs, and deploy persistent backdoors. The attacker can also use the compromised vCenter Server as a pivot point to attack managed ESXi hosts and their hosted virtual machines.
Availability faces complete compromise because the attacker can shut down vCenter Server, corrupt its database, disrupt all managed virtual infrastructure, or deploy destructive payloads across the entire managed environment. The EPSS score of 77.87% at the 99th percentile is exceptionally high, placing this among the top 1% of all vulnerabilities for exploitation probability. While the ransomware association is listed as unknown, the ability to gain unauthenticated remote code execution on a platform managing entire virtualized data centers makes this an extraordinarily valuable target for ransomware operators seeking maximum blast radius.
Exploit Maturity
CVE-2024-38812 demonstrates the highest level of exploit maturity, evidenced by its inclusion in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog and its extraordinary EPSS score of 77.87% at the 99.0th percentile. This places it in the top 1% of all vulnerabilities globally for exploitation probability, indicating extremely widespread and active targeting by threat actors.
Broadcom has published a security advisory (VMSA-2024-0019) providing patch details and workaround guidance. The unauthenticated nature of this vulnerability (PR:N) combined with its network accessibility (AV:N) and low complexity (AC:L) makes it trivially exploitable once a proof-of-concept is available. CVE-2024-38812 was disclosed alongside CVE-2024-38813, a privilege escalation vulnerability in the same product, and attackers are known to chain these two vulnerabilities together for maximum impact. While CISA's ransomware classification remains unknown, VMware vCenter Server vulnerabilities have historically been prime targets for both nation-state actors and ransomware groups due to the platform's role as the control plane for entire virtualized data centers.
Remediation
-
Patch vCenter Server immediately. This is the most critical remediation step. Apply the updates specified in Broadcom's security advisory VMSA-2024-0019 for vCenter Server versions 7.0 and 8.0. For VMware Cloud Foundation versions 4.0 through 5.2, follow the Cloud Foundation-specific upgrade path documented in the advisory.
-
Isolate vCenter Server from untrusted networks. Since this vulnerability requires no authentication, network-level controls are the primary compensating control. Ensure vCenter Server is not accessible from the internet or untrusted network segments. Place vCenter Server behind a firewall with strict access control lists limiting connectivity to authorized management stations only.
-
Conduct forensic investigation on exposed systems. Any vCenter Server instance that was accessible from untrusted networks while running a vulnerable version should be treated as potentially compromised. Examine system logs, process lists, and network connections for indicators of compromise. Check for unauthorized accounts, unexpected scheduled tasks, or modified system files.
-
Rotate all managed credentials. After patching, rotate all credentials stored in or managed by vCenter Server, including ESXi host root passwords, service account credentials, vCenter database passwords, and any API keys or certificates. An attacker who exploited this vulnerability may have extracted these credentials before the patch was applied.
-
Implement network monitoring and detection. Deploy intrusion detection signatures for DCERPC protocol exploitation attempts targeting vCenter Server. Monitor network traffic to and from vCenter Server for anomalous patterns, unexpected outbound connections, or large data transfers that may indicate ongoing exploitation or data exfiltration.
Technical Details
CVE-2024-38812 is a heap-overflow vulnerability in VMware vCenter Server's DCERPC protocol implementation with a CVSS v3.1 vector of CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, yielding the critical base score of 9.8. Every metric in this vector represents the worst-case scenario for an attacker: the attack is network-accessible (AV:N), requires low complexity (AC:L), needs no privileges (PR:N), and demands no user interaction (UI:N).
The vulnerability exists in vCenter Server's handling of DCERPC (Distributed Computing Environment / Remote Procedure Call) protocol messages. DCERPC is a core protocol used for inter-process communication in VMware's management infrastructure. When vCenter Server processes incoming DCERPC packets, a flaw in the parsing logic allows a specially crafted packet to trigger a heap buffer overflow. The packet contains data fields whose sizes are not properly validated against the allocated buffer boundaries, causing memory corruption in the heap region.
A heap overflow of this nature can be leveraged for remote code execution through several well-known exploitation techniques, including overwriting heap metadata to gain control of the memory allocator, corrupting adjacent objects with function pointers or virtual method tables, or manipulating application-specific data structures that influence execution flow. The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the vulnerability directly affects only the vCenter Server process, but practical impact extends to the entire managed infrastructure since vCenter holds administrative control over all connected ESXi hosts and virtual machines. Affected products include VMware vCenter Server versions 7.0 and 8.0, and VMware Cloud Foundation versions 4.0 through but not including 5.2.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2024-38812?
CVE-2024-38812 is a critical heap-overflow vulnerability in VMware vCenter Server's DCERPC protocol implementation. It allows an unauthenticated attacker with network access to achieve remote code execution by sending a specially crafted network packet, with a CVSS v3.1 score of 9.8.
Can CVE-2024-38812 be exploited without authentication?
Yes. This is one of the most dangerous aspects of CVE-2024-38812. The vulnerability requires no authentication (PR:N) and no user interaction (UI:N). Any attacker with network access to vCenter Server can attempt exploitation, making network-level access controls critical.
How does CVE-2024-38812 relate to CVE-2024-38813?
Both vulnerabilities were disclosed in the same Broadcom advisory (VMSA-2024-0019) and affect identical versions of vCenter Server. CVE-2024-38812 provides remote code execution, while CVE-2024-38813 enables privilege escalation to root. Attackers can chain them for unauthenticated remote root access to vCenter Server.
What is the DCERPC protocol and why is it vulnerable?
DCERPC (Distributed Computing Environment / Remote Procedure Call) is a protocol used for inter-process communication within VMware's management infrastructure. The vulnerability exists in how vCenter Server parses incoming DCERPC messages, where insufficient bounds checking on packet data leads to a heap buffer overflow that can be exploited for code execution.
Need Help With Vulnerability Management?
Our security experts can help you prioritize and remediate vulnerabilities effectively.