Executive Summary
In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, the discovery of new vulnerabilities poses significant threats to organizations worldwide. This advisory report focuses on two critical vulnerabilities, CVE-2024-38812 and CVE-2024-38813, affecting VMware vCenter Server. These vulnerabilities have the potential to allow remote code execution and privilege escalation, respectively, making them a high priority for remediation. The sectors most at risk include those heavily reliant on virtualization technologies, such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies. This report aims to provide Rescana's customers with a comprehensive understanding of these vulnerabilities, their implications, and the necessary steps to mitigate them.
Technical Information
CVE-2024-38812 is identified as a heap-overflow vulnerability within the DCERPC protocol implementation in VMware vCenter Server. This vulnerability is particularly concerning due to its potential to allow remote code execution. A malicious actor with network access can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted network packet, which could lead to the execution of arbitrary code on the affected system. The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) v3.1 assigns this vulnerability a base score of 9.8, categorizing it as critical. The affected versions include VMware vCenter Server 8.0 U3d, 8.0 U2e, 7.0 U3t, and VMware Cloud Foundation 5.x, 5.1.x, and 4.x.
CVE-2024-38813 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in VMware vCenter Server. This vulnerability allows an attacker with network access to escalate privileges to root by sending a specially crafted network packet. The CVSS v3.1 base score for this vulnerability is 7.5, indicating a high severity level. The affected versions are the same as those for CVE-2024-38812. The potential impact of privilege escalation makes this vulnerability a significant concern for organizations using VMware vCenter Server.
Both vulnerabilities highlight the critical need for organizations to maintain robust security practices, including regular patch management and network monitoring. The technical complexity of these vulnerabilities underscores the importance of understanding the underlying mechanisms that allow such exploits to occur. Organizations must prioritize the application of security patches and updates to mitigate the risks associated with these vulnerabilities.
Exploitation in the Wild
As of the time of this report, there are no confirmed instances of CVE-2024-38812 or CVE-2024-38813 being exploited in the wild. However, the critical nature of these vulnerabilities necessitates immediate attention and remediation to prevent potential exploitation. Organizations should remain vigilant and monitor for any indicators of compromise (IOCs) that may suggest attempted exploitation of these vulnerabilities.
APT Groups using this vulnerability
While there are currently no specific reports of Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups exploiting CVE-2024-38812 or CVE-2024-38813, it is crucial for organizations to be aware of the potential for such groups to target these vulnerabilities. APT groups often focus on sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, where the impact of successful exploitation can be particularly damaging. Organizations in these sectors should prioritize the implementation of security measures to protect against potential threats.
Affected Product Versions
The vulnerabilities affect the following product versions: VMware vCenter Server 8.0 U3d, 8.0 U2e, 7.0 U3t, VMware Cloud Foundation 5.x (Async patch to 8.0 U3d), 5.1.x (Async patch to 8.0 U2e), and 4.x (Async patch to 7.0 U3t). Organizations using these versions should take immediate action to apply the necessary patches and updates provided by VMware.
Workaround and Mitigation
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2024-38812 and CVE-2024-38813, organizations should apply the latest security updates released by VMware. These updates address the vulnerabilities and provide protection against potential exploitation. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the exposure of vulnerable systems. Regular monitoring and logging of network activity can also help detect any suspicious behavior indicative of attempted exploitation.
References
For more detailed information on these vulnerabilities, please refer to the following resources: NVD CVE-2024-38812, NVD CVE-2024-38813, and the Broadcom Security Advisory. These resources provide comprehensive details on the vulnerabilities, their impact, and the recommended mitigation strategies.
Rescana is here for you
At Rescana, we understand the challenges organizations face in managing cybersecurity threats. Our Continuous Threat and Exposure Management (CTEM) platform is designed to help organizations identify, assess, and mitigate vulnerabilities effectively. We are committed to providing our customers with the tools and insights needed to protect their systems and data. If you have any questions about this report or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at ops@rescana.com. We are here to support you in navigating the complex cybersecurity landscape.
Comments