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 in the implementation of the DCERPC protocol within Broadcom VMware vCenter Server. This flaw could allow a malicious actor who has network access to the vCenter Server to transmit specially crafted network packets, which may result in remote code execution.
Exposure and applicability
This vulnerability is particularly relevant to U.S. healthcare providers, health plans, and business associates that utilize VMware vCenter Server to manage their virtualized environments. Because vCenter often serves as the central management layer for servers hosting electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI), clinical applications, and patient databases, a compromise at this level could jeopardize both data confidentiality and the continuity of patient care operations.
On January 23, 2026, CISA added this vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. While the federal deadline for covered agencies to remediate is February 13, 2026, this status indicates that the vulnerability has been observed in active exploitation, increasing the urgency for all healthcare organizations using the affected software.
Remediation priorities
Our analysis suggests that healthcare IT and security leaders should prioritize the following actions based on vendor guidance:
- Immediate Version Audit: Identify all instances of VMware vCenter Server across the environment to determine if they are running affected versions.
- Apply Vendor Mitigations: Deploy the specific patches or mitigations provided by Broadcom according to their official security advisory.
- Cloud Service Review: For organizations utilizing cloud-based virtualization services, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance to ensure the service provider has addressed the vulnerability.
- Decommissioning: If mitigations are unavailable for a specific legacy deployment, consider discontinuing use of the product to eliminate the attack vector.
How to validate remediation
To verify that exposure has been reduced, administrators should employ the following methods:
- Version Verification: Confirm through the vCenter management console or command line that the installed build number matches the patched version specified in the Broadcom advisory.
- Configuration Audit: If a workaround was applied instead of a full patch, verify that the specific configuration changes are active and consistent across all vCenter nodes.
Note that while these steps confirm the application of a fix, they do not guarantee that the system is entirely secure from other undiscovered flaws.
Limits and open questions
It remains unknown whether this vulnerability has been utilized in specific ransomware campaigns. Additionally, while CISA provides a deadline for federal agencies, private healthcare entities must determine their own remediation timelines based on their internal risk management processes and HIPAA Security Rule obligations. There is residual risk if the vCenter Server is exposed to untrusted networks or if administrative credentials have already been compromised prior to patching.
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 20, 2026 at 01:57 UTC.
Request a healthcare security assessment
Turn healthcare security intelligence into action.
Discuss your environment, priorities, and the evidence needed to validate safeguards.
Request a healthcare assessment ↗