Vulnerability record

CVE-2024-37085

VMware ESXi Authentication Bypass Vulnerability

HighExploitation confirmedCISA KEV Used by ransomware

What should I do?

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog: attackers are using it. If you run vSphere / ESXi / vCenter, fix it now.

CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

US federal civilian agencies must remediate by Aug 20, 2024.

Patch status

Official fix available since Sep 30, 2026

Apply the vendor's update to every affected system. Check the fixed-in versions below where known.

Basis: NVD patch reference

Patch or advisory on support.broadcom.com (opens in a new tab)

Description

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.

Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database. Official vulnerability data, reproduced as published.

Affected products

Products affected by this vulnerability, with versions and the source of each entry
Product	Vendor	Affected versions	Source
vSphere / ESXi / vCenter	VMware (Broadcom)	7.0; 8.0	KEV

Sources: KEV = CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Intelligence timeline

Developments from the last 30 days, newest first.

CVSS scoredUpdateKEVSep 30, 2026
CVE-2024-37085 scored CVSS 7.2: VMware ESXi, VMware ESXi Authentication Bypass Vulnerability
CISA lists this as exploited in the wild and known to be used in ransomware campaigns. Unpatched ESXi systems are exposed to active attacks now.
Basis: NIST National Vulnerability Database
Patch releasedUpdateKEVSep 30, 2026
Patch released for CVE-2024-37085: VMware ESXi, VMware ESXi Authentication Bypass Vulnerability
An official fix is now available for VMware ESXi. This vulnerability is being exploited, so apply it promptly.
Basis: NVD patch reference

1 earlier event is available with a subscription. See plans.

Coverage

We have not published a story about this vulnerability yet.

References

support.broadcom.com https://support.broadcom.com/web/ecx/support-content-notification/-/external/content/SecurityAdvisories/0/2450…
nvd.nist.gov https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-37085
cisa.gov https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2024-37085