CVE-2024-22275: VMware vCenter Server File Read Vulnerability

CVE-2024-22275 Overview

CVE-2024-22275 is a partial file read vulnerability affecting VMware vCenter Server. A malicious actor with administrative privileges on the vCenter appliance shell may exploit this issue to partially read arbitrary files containing sensitive data. This information disclosure vulnerability (CWE-200) allows attackers who have already gained administrative shell access to extract portions of sensitive files that should otherwise be restricted.

Critical Impact

Attackers with administrative shell access can partially read arbitrary files on the vCenter appliance, potentially exposing credentials, configuration data, and other sensitive information that could facilitate further attacks against the virtualization infrastructure.

Affected Products

• VMware vCenter Server 7.0 (all versions through Update 3p)
• VMware vCenter Server 8.0 (all versions through Update 2a)
• VMware Cloud Foundation (affected versions)

Discovery Timeline

• May 21, 2024 - CVE-2024-22275 published to NVD
• June 27, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-22275

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker with administrative privileges on the vCenter appliance shell to read portions of arbitrary files on the system. The partial file read capability means attackers cannot necessarily retrieve complete files, but can extract enough data to potentially compromise sensitive information such as configuration files, credentials, certificates, or other security-critical data stored on the vCenter appliance.

The attack requires network access and high privileges (administrative shell access), which limits the immediate attack surface. However, in scenarios where an attacker has already compromised an administrator account or gained shell access through other means, this vulnerability provides a mechanism to escalate the impact by harvesting sensitive data from the system.

Root Cause

The vulnerability stems from improper exposure of sensitive information (CWE-200) within vCenter Server components. The application fails to properly restrict file read operations for users with administrative shell access, allowing them to access file contents beyond their intended scope. This represents an information disclosure weakness where the boundary between administrative shell capabilities and protected system files is not properly enforced.

Attack Vector

The attack is conducted over the network by an authenticated attacker who has already obtained administrative privileges on the vCenter appliance shell. The exploitation does not require user interaction and can be performed directly once the attacker has shell access.

The attack flow involves:

1. Attacker gains administrative credentials for the vCenter appliance
2. Attacker accesses the vCenter appliance shell with administrative privileges
3. Attacker leverages the vulnerability to read portions of sensitive files
4. Extracted data may contain credentials, configuration details, or other sensitive information
5. Attacker uses harvested data to further compromise the environment

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-22275

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual file access patterns from administrative shell sessions on vCenter appliances
• Unexpected read operations targeting sensitive configuration files or credential stores
• Administrative shell sessions from unusual source IP addresses or at unusual times
• Evidence of file enumeration or reconnaissance activity within the appliance shell

Detection Strategies

• Monitor vCenter appliance shell session logs for unusual file access commands or patterns
• Implement file integrity monitoring on critical vCenter configuration and credential files
• Deploy user behavior analytics to detect anomalous administrative activity
• Review audit logs for administrative shell access from unexpected sources or times

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive logging for vCenter appliance shell sessions
• Configure alerts for administrative shell access outside of maintenance windows
• Implement centralized log collection from vCenter appliances to SIEM platforms
• Establish baseline patterns for legitimate administrative file access activities

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-22275

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the latest security patches from VMware/Broadcom for affected vCenter Server versions
• Review and restrict administrative shell access to only essential personnel
• Audit recent administrative shell sessions for potential exploitation attempts
• Rotate sensitive credentials that may have been exposed on affected systems

Patch Information

VMware (now Broadcom) has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Administrators should consult the Broadcom Security Advisory #24308 for specific patch versions and upgrade instructions. Organizations running vCenter Server 7.0 should upgrade to the latest patched version, and those running vCenter Server 8.0 should similarly apply the latest security updates.

Workarounds

• Restrict administrative shell access to only essential personnel using role-based access controls
• Implement network segmentation to limit access to vCenter management interfaces
• Enable multi-factor authentication for all administrative access to vCenter
• Monitor and alert on administrative shell sessions until patches can be applied