Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2024-38812 is a critical VMware vCenter Server flaw that can allow remote code execution from the network. Because vCenter controls virtualization infrastructure, successful compromise could affect many dependent systems. CISA lists it in KEV, so known exploitation is documented.
Executive priority
Immediate priority. This is a critical unauthenticated network RCE issue in a high-value virtualization management platform, and CISA KEV confirms known exploitation. Leaders should require rapid inventory, vendor-guided remediation, and exposure reduction.
Technical view
The issue is a CWE-122 heap overflow in vCenter Server's DCERPC protocol implementation. The CVSS 3.1 score is 9.8 with network access, low complexity, no privileges, and no user interaction required. A specially crafted network packet may trigger remote code execution.
Likely exposure
Organizations running VMware vCenter Server 8.0 or 7.0, or VMware Cloud Foundation 5.x or 4.x, should assess exposure. Risk is highest where vCenter is reachable from broad internal networks or untrusted segments.
Exploitation context
Active exploitation is supported by the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities listing. The provided bundle does not include exploit method details, observed campaigns, indicators, or proof-of-concept status. Treat the KEV entry as enough evidence for urgent action.
Researcher notes
Focus validation on affected product/version presence, network reachability, and vendor advisory alignment. The bundle supports critical severity and KEV exploitation, but does not provide fixed build numbers, exploit telemetry, or safe detection signatures.
Mitigation direction
- Check Broadcom's advisory for fixed versions and supported remediation guidance.
- Prioritize remediation for internet-reachable or broadly reachable vCenter Server instances.
- Restrict network access to vCenter to trusted administrative paths only.
- Confirm VMware Cloud Foundation remediation requirements through vendor guidance.
- Track completion against CISA KEV-driven remediation timelines where applicable.
Validation and detection
- Inventory all vCenter Server and VMware Cloud Foundation deployments and versions.
- Compare installed versions against the Broadcom advisory for CVE-2024-38812.
- Identify whether vCenter is reachable from untrusted or unnecessary network segments.
- Confirm remediation status through patch records and configuration management data.
- Monitor vendor and CISA pages for updated exploitation or remediation guidance.
Public sources used
Michael Williams reviewed this cited source version on .
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-122: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2024-38812 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CISA KEV status
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
9.8CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://support.broadcom.com/web/ecx/support-content-notification/-/external/content/SecurityAdvisories/0/24968CVE reference
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2024-38812CVE reference · government-resource
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Heap-based Buffer Overflow
Heap-based Buffer Overflow represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.