CVE-2022-31680Network attack vector

Admin OS code execution via PSC deserialization

Published Oct 7, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

VMware vCenter Server 6.5 before U3u contains unsafe deserialization in the PSC that lets remote authenticated users execute code via vCenter. The PSC deserializes attacker-controlled data without safe type restrictions, allowing crafted serialized objects to execute arbitrary code on the vCenter operating system. Exploitation requires administrator access and an external PSC, with impact reaching arbitrary code execution on the appliance host.

CVSS severity7.2
High
EPSS probability33.06%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

VMware vCenter Server 6.5 before U3u contains unsafe deserialization in the PSC that lets remote authenticated users execute code via vCenter. The PSC deserializes attacker-controlled data without safe type restrictions, allowing crafted serialized objects to execute arbitrary code on the vCenter operating system. Exploitation requires administrator access and an external PSC, with impact reaching arbitrary code execution on the appliance host.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-31680
Published
Oct 7, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
VMware
Product
VMware vCenter Server
Classifications
CWE-502, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 7, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=VMware vCenter Server 6.5 prior to U3u

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

VMware · VMware vCenter Serverversion=VMware vCenter Server 6.5 prior to U3u

Published CVSS scores

7.2VMwareCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.1NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-502Deserialization of Untrusted Data
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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