CVE-2024-38813: VMware vCenter Server

Should you act?

Exploited: patch now if you run it

CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. This signal is computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS data; it is not an editorial verdict.

Yes, if you run VMware vCenter Server. CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2024-11-20, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2024-12-11; treat that as the outer limit, not the target.
EPSS 17.4%, percentile 97: FIRST’s model estimates a 17.4% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 97% of all scored CVEs (very high). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
Needs an account (low (any account)). Exposure depends on who can log in.

What it is

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.

CISA’s summary

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.

Weakness type: CWE-273, CWE-250.

Product: VMware vCenter Server · Assigned by: vmware · Published: 2024-09-17

Affected and fixed versions

Vendor	Product	Affected versions (per CVE record)
n/a	VMware vCenter Server	8.0 < 8.0 U3b, 7.0 < 7.0 U3s
n/a	VMware Cloud Foundation	5.x, 4.x

Severity scores

Scored by	CVSS	Score	Vector
vmware	3.1	7.5 High	`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`

Attack vector: network (remotely reachable)
Attack complexity: high (needs special conditions)
Privileges required: low (any account)
User interaction: none
Scope: unchanged

CVSS measures how bad a flaw is if exploited, not how likely exploitation is. Read it next to the exploitation data below.

Exploitation and urgency

CISA KEV: added 2024-11-20; federal due date 2024-12-11. Known ransomware use: Unknown.
CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active, automatable no, technical impact total.
FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 17.36% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 97.

Timeline

2024-09-17 — CVE record published by vmware
2024-11-20 — Added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
2024-12-11 — CISA remediation deadline for US federal agencies
2025-10-21 — CVE record last updated

Sources and references

Original sources first. Version and fix details should always be confirmed against the vendor or project advisory.