# CVE-2024-37085: VMware ESXi Authentication Bypass Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-37085-vmware-esxi-authentication-bypass-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2024-07-30. Updated: 2026-05-09  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2024-37085 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.2 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2024-07-30

VMware ESXi contains an authentication bypass vulnerability where a malicious actor with sufficient Active Directory (AD) permissions can gain full access to an ESXi host. The attack involves re-creating the 'ESXi Admins' AD group after it has been deleted, allowing the actor to bypass authentication on hosts configured to use AD for user management.

Technologies: [VMware ESXi](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/esxi), [VMware Fusion](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/fusion), [VMware Workstation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/workstation). Vendors: [VMware](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/vmware).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2024-37085 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2024-37085 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 30 July 2024. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2024-37085?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.2, published 30 July 2024.

**Which products and versions are affected?** VMware ESXi 7.0, 8.0; VMware Cloud Foundation 4.0 to 5.2.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2024-37085?** A patch was published on 2024-07-30: Broadcom/VMware released security advisory and patches. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2024-37085 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2024-37085?** Check whether you run VMware ESXi, VMware Fusion or VMware Workstation. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- VMware ESXi 7.0, 8.0
- VMware Cloud Foundation 4.0 to 5.2

## Timeline

- 2024-07-30: disclosed
- 2024-07-30: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2024-07-30: patched: Broadcom/VMware released security advisory and patches.

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- [VMware Workstation and Fusion integer overflow in VMXNET3](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-59346-vmware-workstation-and-fusion-contain-an-integer-overflow)
- [VMware ESX insufficient logging vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-41709-vmware-esx-insufficient-logging-vulnerability)
- [VMware ESX out-of-bounds write in VMXNET3 adapter](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-47876-vmware-esx-out-of-bounds-write-in-vmxnet3-adapter)
- [VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion out-of-bounds read](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-41703-vmware-esxi-workstation-and-fusion-out-of-bounds-read)