CVE-2026-59310
vCenter directory-traversal vulnerability
Description
VMware vCenter contains a directory traversal vulnerability in the Syslog server. A malicious actor with network access to vCenter may exploit this issue to execute arbitrary code.
In plain language
AI Act nowThis is a directory-traversal weakness in VMware vCenter’s Syslog server that can let an attacker with network access break into the system and potentially run code—small businesses using vCenter should treat it as urgent.
CVE-2026-59310 is a directory-traversal issue (CWE-22) in the VMware vCenter Syslog server that can be exploited by a network-reachable attacker to write or access unintended paths and ultimately achieve arbitrary code execution; sustained press attention attributes exploitation activity to an APT actor.
What to do now
- Check your VMware vCenter version and confirm whether the Syslog server is reachable from any untrusted network (e.g., not strictly limited to your admin networks).
- If you are on vCenter, plan an upgrade to a fixed release: vCenter 9.1.0.0300, or vCenter 9.0.2.0100, or vCenter 8.0 U3k (whichever matches your current major version).
- Restrict network access to the vCenter Syslog server from the internet or broader networks (allow only required sources, such as your logging collectors/admin hosts).
- After changes, monitor vCenter and appliance logs for unusual Syslog-related errors and unexpected process activity, and verify the service behavior matches normal operation.
CVSS Vector Breakdown
AV:NAttack VectorAC:LAttack ComplexityPR:NPrivileges RequiredUI:NUser InteractionS:UScopeC:HConfidentialityI:HIntegrityA:HAvailabilityWeaknesses
Affected Products
Exploitability
Required action: Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.
Attack Graph
Click technique nodes for MITRE ATT&CK details · drag to pan · Ctrl/⌘ + scroll to zoom, or go fullscreen.
MITRE ATT&CK
2 techniquesReferences
- ThreatsDay: Self-Rewriting Agents, 800+ Flaws Patched, Insider SIM Swaps and 22 More New Storiesen·The Hacker News· Exploited LocalAI CL-CRI-1171
- CISA: Critical VMware RCE flaw now exploited by ransomware gangsen-us·BleepingComputer· Exploited VMware vCenter Server Ransomware gangs
- Critical VMware Workstation and Fusion Flaw Lets VM Admins Execute Host Codeen·The Hacker News· Patch VMware Workstation privilege-escalation
- Critical macOS, SharePoint, vCenter, and Microsoft IKE Flaws Under Active Exploitationen·The Hacker News· Exploited macOS zero-day
- CISA Urges Immediate Patching of Exploited Microsoft, VMware, Apple Vulnerabilitiesen-us·SecurityWeek· Exploited Windows IKE patch-tuesday
- ⚡ Weekly Recap: VMware Exploits, Windows 0-Day, MCP Attacks, Browser Hijacks and Moreen·The Hacker News· Exploited Lazarus Group ransomware
- Suspected China-Nexus Actor Exploits VMware vCenter Flaw, Deploys Babuk-Derived Ransomwareen·The Hacker News· Exploited VMware vCenter Babuk
- Global Threat Campaign Hits Critical VMware vCenter Flawen·Dark Reading· Exploited VMware vCenter APT actor (unnamed)
- Critical VMware vCenter RCE flaw exploited for reverse SSH accessen-us·BleepingComputer· Exploited VMware vCenter rce
- Critical VMware vCenter Vulnerability in Attackers’ Crosshairsen-us·SecurityWeek· Exploited VMware vCenter rce
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