CVE-2024-38813: VMware vCenter Server Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Patch now

HIGH 7.5EXPLOITEDUPGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2024-38813 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting cloud foundation, vcenter server, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited
Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	17.4% (top 3%)
CISA exploited list	Yes, fix due 2024-12-11
Weakness	CWE-250, CWE-273
Published	2024-09-17
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): VMware · Vendor: vmware

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2024-09-17 18:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2024-11-20Exploited Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
2024-12-11Deadline CISA due date for US federal agencies to patch
2026-06-17 07:41 UTCUpdated Record last modified

vmware cloud foundation UPGRADE

Affected: >= 4.0 and < 5.2

Fixed in: 5.2

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy cloud-foundation || rpm -q cloud-foundation || cloud-foundation --version

2. UPGRADE to 5.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade cloud-foundation

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade cloud-foundation

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison cloud-foundation sudo apt install cloud-foundation=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo apt-mark hold cloud-foundation

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list cloud-foundation sudo dnf downgrade cloud-foundation-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add cloud-foundation

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

vmware vcenter server DOWNGRADE

Affected: 7.0 · 7.0 a · 7.0 b · 7.0 c · 7.0 d · 7.0 update1 · 7.0 update1a · 7.0 update1c

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy vcenter-server || rpm -q vcenter-server || vcenter-server --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 7.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison vcenter-server sudo apt install vcenter-server=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0> sudo apt-mark hold vcenter-server

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list vcenter-server sudo dnf downgrade vcenter-server-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0> sudo dnf versionlock add vcenter-server

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

Fedora ELN · gram_grep · FIXED · 0.10.4-1.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-0808475f2a · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-0808475f2a

Fedora 46 · wesnoth · FIXED · 1.19.29-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-58f458e24e · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-58f458e24e

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · CISA KEV catalog · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2024-38813?

cloud foundation: upgrade to 5.2; vcenter server: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2024-38813 being exploited?

Yes. CVE-2024-38813 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.

What does CVE-2024-38813 affect?

CVE-2024-38813 affects cloud foundation, vcenter server. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). 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.

How urgent is CVE-2024-38813?

Priority 76/100. High severity; EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)

Software pages

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References

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