VMware vCenter Server DCERPC Protocol Heap Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2024-37079) Security Advisory
Executive & SecOps Summary
SECOPS ASSESSMENTVMware vCenter Server versions 7.0 and 8.0, and VMware Cloud Foundation versions 4.x and 5.x.
An unauthenticated remote attacker can trigger a heap-based buffer overflow to execute arbitrary code with root privileges by sending crafted network packets.
Immediately upgrade to the patched versions (vCenter 8.0 U2b / 7.0 U3r or higher) and restrict network access to DCERPC-related ports.
Affected Products & Version Scope
Remediation & Live Workaround Commands
PATCH & WORKAROUND1. Official Patch & Version Upgrade Commands
Apply the official security patches immediately via the VMware vCenter Server Appliance Management Interface (VAMI) or the command-line interface.
# Access the vCenter Appliance Shell and execute the following to check and install patches
# 1. Query available software packages
software-packages query --check
# 2. Stage and install the latest security patches (includes service restarts)
software-packages install --url --acceptByPass2. Temporary Workaround & Hardening Configuration
If immediate patching is not feasible, implement strict firewall rules to restrict access to the DCERPC and management ports (e.g., port 2012/tcp) on the vCenter Server.
# Restrict access to DCERPC port 2012/tcp using iptables
# (Ensure to replace 192.168.1.0/24 with your trusted administrator network range)
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp -s 192.168.1.0/24 --dport 2012 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 2012 -j DROP
# Save the iptables configuration
service iptables save3. Log Audit & IoC Verification Commands
Verify the current vCenter Server build version and inspect the logs for any abnormal service crashes related to the DCERPC daemon.
# 1. Retrieve the current vCenter Server version and build details
com.vmware.appliance.version1.resources.get
# 2. Check for core dumps or segmentation faults in DCERPC-related services (e.g., vmafdd)
find /var/core/ -name '*vmafdd*' -o -name '*vmdird*'
grep -ri 'segmentation fault' /var/log/vmware/vmafdd/Block Exploits Instantly with Managed Virtual Patching Rules
Can't patch production immediately? Deploy managed WAF rules at the edge to intercept RCE, SQLi, and deserialization payloads before they hit your origin server.
Technical Root Cause & Exploitation Mechanics
1. Vulnerability Overview & Root Cause
This vulnerability (CVE-2024-37079) is a critical heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-787) residing in the implementation of the Distributed Computing Environment / Remote Procedure Call (DCERPC) protocol within VMware vCenter Server. The root cause lies in insufficient validation of incoming packet segment sizes and buffer boundaries during DCERPC packet parsing. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent heap memory structures by sending data that exceeds the allocated buffer size.
2. Exploitation Mechanics & Attack Scenario
A malicious actor with network access to the vCenter Server can exploit this vulnerability without any user interaction or authentication. The attack is initiated by transmitting specially crafted network packets containing malformed DCERPC headers or payloads to the target vCenter service. When the vCenter parser processes these malicious packets, it triggers a heap overflow, enabling the attacker to hijack the execution flow and execute arbitrary system commands at the operating system level.
3. Infrastructure & Business Impact
vCenter Server serves as the centralized management plane for virtualized environments, controlling ESXi hosts, virtual machines, and critical storage/network resources. With a CVSS score of 9.8 and its inclusion in the CISA KEV catalog, this vulnerability poses an extreme risk. Successful exploitation grants full administrative control over the vCenter Server, allowing attackers to compromise all managed virtual machines, exfiltrate sensitive data, deploy ransomware, and cause catastrophic business disruption.
Official Vendor Advisories & References
vCenter Server contains a heap-overflow vulnerability in the implementation of the DCERPC protocol. A malicious actor with network access to vCenter Server may trigger this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted network packet potentially leading to remote code execution.
Frequently Asked SecOps Questions (CVE-2024-37079)
FAQQ1. How critical is CVE-2024-37079 and is it actively exploited in the wild?
CVE-2024-37079 is rated CVSS 9.8 (CRITICAL) with a 30-day EPSS exploitation probability of 22.4%. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, requiring immediate emergency remediation.
Q2. Which vendors and products are affected by CVE-2024-37079?
Primary impacted vendors include vmware, broadcom across vcenter_server, cloud_foundation. Scope summary: VMware vCenter Server 8.0 (prior to 8.0 U2b), vCenter Server 7.0 (prior to 7.0 U3r), and VMware Cloud Foundation 5.x and 4.x.
Q3. What temporary mitigations or workarounds exist for CVE-2024-37079 before patching?
[Mitigation] Immediately upgrade to the patched versions (vCenter 8.0 U2b / 7.0 U3r or higher) and restrict network access to DCERPC-related ports. Follow the CLI remediation commands and interactive SecOps checklist on this page to restrict exposure prior to your maintenance window.
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