Actively exploited · Published Jul 30, 2026 · Assigned by vmware
CVE-2026-59310vCenter directory-traversal vulnerability
Critical 9.8 Exploited Ransomware
In plain English
A critical-severity path traversal in Cloud Foundation from VMware. Attackers are actively exploiting it in the wild (listed by CISA on August 18, 2026). It has been used in ransomware campaigns. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 2.6% (higher than 85% of all known vulnerabilities). Ready-made attack tooling exists: public proof-of-concept code. 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.
CISA guidance
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.
Federal agencies must remediate by Aug 21, 2026.
Official 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.
Affected products (as reported)
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| VMware | Cloud Foundation | 9.1.x.x9.0.x.x5.x |
| VMware | vSphere Foundation | 9.1.x.x9.0.x.x |
| VMware | vCenter | 9.1.x.x – before 9.1.0.03009.0.x.x – before 9.0.2.01008.0 – before 8.0 U3k |
| VMware | Telco Cloud Infrastructure | 3.0 |
| VMware | Telco Cloud Platform | 5.1.x5.0.x4.x3.0 |
Weakness: CWE-22 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- https://support.broadcom.com/web/ecx/support-content-notification/-/external/content/SecurityAdvisories/0/38017
- https://medium.com/@quirso_de/global-exploitation-of-cve-2026-59310-by-suspected-chinese-nexus-apt-related-cve-2026-59309-443a79e1466d third-party-advisory
- https://medium.com/@quirso_de/active-exploitation-of-cve-2026-59310-361-victim-ips-across-47-countries-9783187cc6ff third-party-advisory
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-59310 government-resource