VMware vCenter Server DCERPC Out-of-Bounds Write (CVE-2024-37079)

Historical catalog analysis: CISA added this entry on January 23, 2026. The entry reflects catalog information retrieved on August 31, 2026, not a snapshot archived on the inclusion date. Check current vendor guidance before acting.

What the vulnerability is

CVE-2024-37079 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability (CWE-787) located within the implementation of the DCERPC protocol in Broadcom VMware vCenter Server. A malicious actor with network access to the server could send specially crafted network packets to trigger this flaw, which may result in remote code execution.

Exposure and applicability

This vulnerability affects organizations deploying VMware vCenter Server where the management interface is reachable over the network. The primary exposure path is via the DCERPC protocol; therefore, any system providing network access to the vCenter Server instance is potentially within the attack surface. Infrastructure owners should identify all active vCenter Server deployments and determine if they are running versions susceptible to this specific memory corruption flaw.

Remediation priorities

Based on our analysis, vulnerability management teams should prioritize actions according to the following hierarchy:

1. Vendor Mitigation: The primary objective is to apply the mitigations provided by Broadcom. This is the most direct method to address the underlying out-of-bounds write.
2. Network Segmentation: For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, restricting network access to vCenter Server—specifically limiting which hosts can communicate via DCERPC—could reduce the likelihood of an external actor reaching the vulnerable protocol implementation.
3. Service Decommissioning: In scenarios where mitigations cannot be applied and the risk exceeds organizational tolerance, discontinuing use of the product is a necessary alternative.

How to validate remediation

Verification must go beyond a simple version check, as a deployed update does not always guarantee that the configuration is secure or that the fix was successfully initialized. Defenders should:

• Verify Patch Application: Confirm through system logs and vendor-provided tools that the specific security updates addressing CVE-2024-37079 are active.
• Network Validation: Use authorized network scanning or firewall audit logs to verify that access to vCenter Server is restricted to known, trusted administrative hosts, thereby validating the effectiveness of compensating segmentation controls.

Limits and open questions

While the potential for remote code execution is identified, the source does not provide details on whether this vulnerability has been leveraged by known ransomware campaigns. Additionally, while CISA has established a remediation deadline for federal agencies, this date serves as a risk indicator rather than a mandatory requirement for private sector organizations. Residual risk remains if network-level restrictions are bypassed or if vendor mitigations are applied incorrectly.

Source and editorial note

CVE-2024-37079: Broadcom VMware vCenter Server Out-of-bounds Write Vulnerability · Source date: January 23, 2026 · Retrieved August 31, 2026.

Material facts are tied to the cited primary source. Recommendations are independent defensive analysis unless attributed to the source. Confirm consequential decisions against current authoritative guidance.

Archive date: January 26, 2026. The displayed post date is assigned three days after the source date to organize this retrospective archive; it does not mean this site published the analysis then. First published by this site: September 23, 2026 at 00:05 UTC.

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