CVE-2026-59310: Broadcom VMware vCenter Path Traversal Vulnerability

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 Broadcom VMware vCenter. CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-08-18, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2026-08-21; treat that as the outer limit, not the target. CISA also lists it as known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
• EPSS 2.6%, percentile 85: FIRST’s model estimates a 2.6% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 85% of all scored CVEs (elevated). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
• Remotely reachable with no login and no user interaction. If the vulnerable service is exposed to the internet, prioritize it.
• Editorial verdict: Act now. VMware vCenter CVE-2026-59310: Exploited Syslog RCE — If you run vCenter and have not installed Broadcom's July 29 fix, patch today and hunt for persistence; this is unauthenticated root code execution with hundreds of victims and ransomware use.

What it is

VMware vCenter contains a directory traversal vulnerability in the Syslog server. A malicious actor with network access to vCenter may exploit this issue to execute arbitrary code.

CISA’s summary

Broadcom VMware vCenter contains a path traversal vulnerability which could allow a threat actor with network access to vCenter to execute arbitrary code.

Weakness type: CWE-22.

Product: Broadcom VMware vCenter · Assigned by: vmware · Published: 2026-07-30

Affected and fixed versions

Severity scores

• Attack vector: network (remotely reachable)
• Attack complexity: low
• Privileges required: none (no login)
• 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 2026-08-18; federal due date 2026-08-21. Known ransomware use: Known.
• CISA required action: Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.
• CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active, automatable yes, technical impact total.
• FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 2.56% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 85.

Timeline

• 2026-07-29 — erroneo.us brief: VMware vCenter CVE-2026-59310: Exploited Syslog RCE
• 2026-07-30 — CVE record published by vmware
• 2026-08-18 — Added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
• 2026-08-21 — CISA remediation deadline for US federal agencies
• 2026-09-12 — CVE record last updated

Sources and references

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

Vendor and project advisories, patches

1. Listed in CISA KEV notes (support.broadcom.com) support.broadcom.com

Vulnerability records

1. CVE.org record CVE-2026-59310 cve.org
2. NVD entry CVE-2026-59310 nvd.nist.gov

Government

1. CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog entry cisa.gov
2. Listed in CISA KEV notes (cisa.gov) cisa.gov
3. Listed in CISA KEV notes (cisa.gov) cisa.gov

Other references from the CVE record and advisory

1. medium.com medium.com
2. medium.com medium.com

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