vmware-vcenter-attack
Describes how to attack VMware vSphere and vCenter systems. Useful for understanding and improving the security of these environments.
What it does
This tool helps identify and verify vulnerabilities in VMware vCenter and vSphere systems exposed on the internet. It checks for outdated versions and known security flaws.
When to use it
- ✓When an internet-facing VMware vCenter/vSphere system is found.
- ✓To check if a VMware system is vulnerable to known attacks.
- ✓To understand the security risks of an exposed VMware system.
Example of what to ask your AI
“Check if the VMware vCenter system at [IP address or URL] is vulnerable to CVE-2021-21972.”
Want more? Open the sections below.
How to use
The easiest way: copy the message below and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or any AI. It reads the skill and follows the instructions.
Skill link
Ready-to-paste message
How it works
The tool first tries to identify the VMware system's version. Then, it compares this version against a list of known security flaws (CVEs) that can be exploited remotely.
Installation
Easiest way: copy the skill link and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor asking it to follow the instructions.
In the terminal (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor), in your project folder:
npx skills add sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills --skill vmware-vcenter-attackOr download just the file:
curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills/main/plugins/agentic-awesome-skills-claude/skills/vmware-vcenter-attack/SKILL.md -o SKILL.mdTechnical content (original SKILL.md)
Original text by the author, straight from GitHub.
⚠️ AUTHORIZED USE ONLY This skill is for educational purposes or authorized security assessments only. You must have explicit, written permission from the system owner before using this tool. Misuse of this tool is illegal and strictly prohibited.
Mandatory confirmation gate Before running any command that probes, exploits, changes, persists on, extracts data from, or attempts credential access against a target:
- Ask the user to state the exact target URL, IP, account, or resource.
- Ask the user to confirm written authorization and the permitted scope.
- Show the exact command(s) and explain their expected effect.
- Wait for explicit confirmation in the current conversation.
Without that confirmation, remain read-only and provide defensive guidance only. Prefer a sandbox, disposable VM, or controlled lab.
When to use
Trigger when external recon shows ANY of:
- Banner: "VMware vCenter Server", "VMware vSphere Client"
- URL paths:
/ui,/ui/login,/websso/SAML2/Metadata,/sdk,/mob(Managed Object Browser) - TLS cert SAN includes
vcenter/vsphere/vcsa/psc/vmware - Workspace ONE Access / Identity Manager:
/SAAS,/SAAS/auth,/SAAS/login,/SAAS/horizon - VMware Aria / vRealize:
/vco,/vco-controlcenter,/orchestrator,/lcm/api/v1 - Horizon View:
/portal,/admin
Do NOT use for:
- Internal-network vCenter (out of scope — external boundary discipline)
- Pure ESXi hypervisor exposed without management plane (rare on internet; flag as separate finding)
Step 1 — Version fingerprinting
TARGET="vcenter.target.com"
# Build info endpoint (often public; revealing exact patch level)
curl -sk "https://$TARGET/sdk/vimServiceVersions.xml"
# UI build (visible in page source)
curl -sk "https://$TARGET/ui/login" | grep -oE 'build[^"]{0,40}'
curl -sk "https://$TARGET/ui/" | grep -oE 'vsphere[^"]{0,40}'
# REST API version (vSphere 7+)
curl -sk "https://$TARGET/api/appliance/system/version"
# Cert metadata
echo | openssl s_client -connect "$TARGET:443" -servername "$TARGET" 2>/dev/null | openssl x509 -noout -text | grep -A1 "Subject Alt"
# SSO Admin Service (info disclosure)
curl -sk "https://$TARGET/sso-adminserver/sdk/vsphere.local"
curl -sk "https://$TARGET/websso/SAML2/Metadata/vsphere.local"
Map build → version → CVE applicability via VMware advisories (vmware.com/security/advisories).
Step 2 — CVE matrix (external-exploitable, sorted by historical impact)
| CVE | Affected | Vector | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2024-37085 | ESXi 7.0/8.0 < specific patch | AD group "ESX Admins" auto-admin bypass | High — Domain takeover→ESXi RCE, exploited in ransomware ops |
| CVE-2024-22273 | ESXi/Workstation/Fusion/vCenter storage controller | OOB read/write — requires VM-local access (NOT a pre-auth network SSRF; see Section 9) | Important (CVSS 8.1), not external pre-auth |
| CVE-2024-22252/53 | Workstation/Fusion (not vCenter) | Sandbox escape | Not external |
| CVE-2023-34048 | vCenter 7/8 < specific build | DCE/RPC pre-auth heap OOB write → RCE | Critical, patched 2023-10 |
| CVE-2023-20887 | Aria Operations for Networks | Pre-auth command injection → RCE | Critical |
| CVE-2023-20892 | vCenter 7/8 | Use-after-free in DCE/RPC | High |
| CVE-2022-31656/31659 | Workspace ONE Access 21.x | Pre-auth SSRF + auth bypass | Critical chained |
| CVE-2022-22954 | Workspace ONE Access | Pre-auth server-side template injection (SSTI) → RCE | Critical, widely exploited |
| CVE-2021-22005 | vCenter 6.7/7.0 < build | Analytics service pre-auth file upload → RCE | Critical |
| CVE-2021-21985 | vCenter 6.5/6.7/7.0 < build | vSAN Health Check plugin pre-auth RCE | Critical |
| CVE-2021-21972 | vCenter 6.5/6.7/7.0 < build | vRealize plugin /ui/vropspluginui/rest/services/uploadova pre-auth file upload → RCE |
Critical, exploited heavily |
| CVE-2020-3992 | ESXi OpenSLP | Pre-auth use-after-free → RCE | Critical, ESXi ransomware vector |
| CVE-2019-5544 | ESXi OpenSLP | Pre-auth heap overflow | Critical |
Step 3 — CVE-2021-21972 probe (still common on stale appliances)
# Detection only — DO NOT execute the file upload without explicit scope OK
curl -sk -o /dev/null -w "%{http_code}\n" \
"https://$TARGET/ui/vropspluginui/rest/services/uploadova"
# 405 → endpoint exists, version vulnerable
# 404 → patched (endpoint removed)
# 401 → patched (auth required)
…
FAQ
What is VMware vCenter/vSphere?
These are VMware software products for managing virtual servers and cloud infrastructure. vCenter is the main management console.
What is a CVE?
CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) is a unique identifier for a known security vulnerability in software.
Can I use this tool on any VMware system?
No. This tool is for educational purposes or authorized security assessments only. You need explicit written permission from the system owner before using it.
Details
Original description by the author
VMware vSphere / vCenter Server external attack matrix
Popularity
- GitHub stars
- 48k
- Ranking position
- #4514
- License
- MIT
- Updated
- 10/15/2026
Comments
- …
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