CVE-2024-37085
VMware ESXi Authentication Bypass Vulnerability
VMware ESXi
VMware ESXi contains an authentication bypass vulnerability. A malicious actor with sufficient Active Directory (AD) permissions can gain full access to an ESXi host that was previously configured to use AD for user management https://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/2012/09/joining-vsphere-hosts-to-active-directory.html by re-creating the configured AD group ('ESXi Admins' by default) after it was deleted from AD.
Ransomware groups exploiting CVE-2024-37085
The Akira ransomware group is said to have emerged in March 2023, and there's much speculation about its ties to the former CONTI ransomware group. It's worth noting that with the end of CONTI's operation, several affiliates migrated to independent campaigns s
"Black Basta" is a new ransomware strain discovered during April 2022 - looks in dev since at least early February 2022 - and due to their ability to quickly amass new victims and the style of their negotiations, this is likely not a new operation but rather a
Exploitation is attributed to these groups across their recorded activity. It does not follow that every organisation they listed was reached through CVE-2024-37085 — the source data does not record an entry point per incident.
Exploitation status
CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities
Listed by CISA on 30 July 2024. US federal agencies were required to remediate it by 20 August 2024. CISA records this vulnerability as known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
EPSS — exploitation probability
FIRST puts the probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days at 26.8%, which is higher than 98% of all scored vulnerabilities. EPSS is a forecast of activity, not a measure of severity, and it is rescored daily.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Recent listings by these groups
Disclosures from the groups above, newest first.
Frequently asked questions
Is CVE-2024-37085 being exploited by ransomware groups?
Yes. CVE-2024-37085 is recorded as exploited by Akira, Blackbasta. Between them these groups account for 1,659 victim disclosures in this database. CISA also records this vulnerability as used in ransomware campaigns.
What does CVE-2024-37085 affect?
CVE-2024-37085 affects VMware ESXi. VMware ESXi contains an authentication bypass vulnerability. A malicious actor with sufficient Active Directory (AD) permissions can gain full access to an ESXi host that was previously configured to use AD for user management https://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/2012/09/joining-vsphere-hosts-to-active-directory.html by re-creating the configured AD group ('ESXi Admins' by default) after it was deleted from AD.
How severe is CVE-2024-37085?
CVE-2024-37085 is rated MEDIUM with a CVSS base score of 6.8. EPSS puts the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days at 26.8%, higher than 98% of all scored vulnerabilities. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, with a federal remediation deadline of 20 August 2024.
How should organisations respond to CVE-2024-37085?
Apply the vendor patch for VMware ESXi as the first priority, and treat any internet-facing instance as the most urgent. Because this vulnerability is associated with ransomware activity, also review whether the affected systems were reachable before patching, rather than assuming that patching alone closes the incident.