VMware ESXi: Out-of-bounds Read
CVE-2024-22273 is a high-severity out-of-bounds read vulnerability in VMware ESXi, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions ESXi80U2sb-23305545, ESXi70U3sq-23794019 as the first without the flaw, so updating VMware ESXi to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.16% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update VMware ESXi to ESXi80U2sb-23305545 or ESXi70U3sq-23794019, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update VMware Workstation to 17.5.1 or a later version.
- Update VMware Fusion to 13.5.1 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on support.broadcom.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| VMware ESXi | VMware ESXi | 8.0 up to, but not including, ESXi80U2sb-23305545; 7.0 up to, but not including, ESXi70U3sq-23794019 | ESXi80U2sb-23305545, ESXi70U3sq-23794019 |
| VMware Workstation | VMware Workstation | 17.x up to, but not including, 17.5.1 | 17.5.1 |
| VMware Fusion | VMware Fusion | 13.x up to, but not including, 13.5.1 | 13.5.1 |
| VMware Cloud Foundation (ESXi) | VMware Cloud Foundation (ESXi) | 5.x up to, but not including, 5.1.1; 4.x | 5.1.1 |
| VMware | fusion | 13.x | Not stated |
| VMware | workstation | 17.x | Not stated |
| VMware | cloud_foundation | 5.x; 4.x | Not stated |
| VMware | esxi | 0; 7.0 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.1 | High | CNA (vmware.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
The storage controllers on VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion have out-of-bounds read/write vulnerability. A malicious actor with access to a virtual machine with storage controllers enabled may exploit this issue to create a denial of service condition or execute code on the hypervisor from a virtual machine in conjunction with other issues.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Out-of-bounds Read
The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a language that provides appropriate memory abstractions.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in VMware ESXi
- 8.2 High severity
VMware ESXi Arbitrary Write Exploited
- 7.2 High severity
VMware ESXi Authentication Bypass Exploited
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
VMware ESXi OpenSLP Use-After-Free Exploited
Recent Out-of-bounds Read vulnerabilities
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.