CVE-2024-38812: 
vSphere vCenter Server vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2024-38812 is a critical heap-overflow vulnerability discovered in VMware vCenter Server's implementation of the DCERPC protocol. The vulnerability was initially disclosed on September 17, 2024, and affects VMware vCenter Server and VMware Cloud Foundation products. The vulnerability received a critical CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8, indicating its severe nature (VMware Advisory). The vulnerability was responsibly reported by researchers zbl & srs of team TZL during the 2024 Matrix Cup contest.

The vulnerability is classified as a heap-overflow vulnerability (CWE-122) in the DCERPC protocol implementation of vCenter Server. With a CVSS score of 9.8, the vulnerability is characterized by network vector access (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction needed (UI:N). The vulnerability can potentially lead to complete compromise of system confidentiality, integrity, and availability (NVD).

The vulnerability allows a malicious actor with network access to vCenter Server to potentially achieve remote code execution by sending specially crafted network packets. The critical severity rating and high CVSS score indicate that successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise. As of November 2024, VMware by Broadcom has confirmed that exploitation has occurred in the wild (VMware Advisory).

VMware has released updated patches to fully address the vulnerability. For vCenter Server 8.0, users should upgrade to version 8.0 U3d or 8.0 U2e. For version 7.0, upgrade to version 7.0 U3t is required. VMware Cloud Foundation users should apply async patches according to their version. No viable in-product workarounds are available, making patch application the only effective mitigation (VMware Advisory).