CVE-2024-38812: VMware vCenter Server Heap-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2024-38812 is a critical (CVSS 9.8) Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability in VMware vCenter Server. It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 20-11-2024. EPSS estimates a 54.57% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 99% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 17-09-2024
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 20-11-2024
   Added to CISA KEVVMware vCenter Server Heap-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
3. 11-12-2024
   CISA remediation dueApply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
4. 21-10-2025
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

The vCenter Server contains a heap-overflow vulnerability in the implementation of the DCERPC protocol. A malicious actor with network access to vCenter Server may trigger this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted network packet potentially leading to remote code execution.

• CWE-122Heap-based Buffer OverflowA heap overflow condition is a buffer overflow, where the buffer that can be overwritten is allocated in the heap portion of memory, generally meaning that the buffer was allocated using a routine such as malloc().
• CWE-787Out-of-bounds WriteThe product writes data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.