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

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-38813-vmware-vcenter-server-privilege-escalation-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2024-11-20. Updated: 2026-05-09  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2024-38813 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2024-11-20

VMware vCenter Server contains a privilege escalation vulnerability due to an improper check for dropped privileges. A malicious actor with network access can escalate privileges to root by sending a specially crafted network packet.

Technologies: [Broadcom vCenter Server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/vcenter-server), [VMware Cloud Foundation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/cloud-foundation). Vendors: [Broadcom](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/broadcom), [VMware](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/vmware).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2024-38813 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2024-38813 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 20 November 2024. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2024-38813?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 20 November 2024.

**Which products and versions are affected?** VMware vCenter Server 7.0, 8.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2024-38813?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2024-38813 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2024-38813?** Check whether you run Broadcom vCenter Server or VMware Cloud Foundation. 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 vCenter Server 7.0, 8.0

## Timeline

- 2024-11-20: disclosed
- 2024-11-20: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2024-11-20: advisory: Broadcom/VMware published security advisory

## Related threats

- [VMware ESX insufficient logging vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-41709-vmware-esx-insufficient-logging-vulnerability)
- [VMware vCenter directory traversal in Syslog server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-59310-vmware-vcenter-directory-traversal-in-syslog-server)
- [VMware vCenter authentication bypass in VMware Directory Service](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-59309-vmware-vcenter-authentication-bypass-in-vmware-directory-service)
- [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)