CVE-2018-6961
CVE-2018-6961 is a security flaw in VMware SD-WAN Edge, VMware’s software for running virtual machines in data centres. Attackers can run their own code on VMware SD-WAN Edge. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 25 Mar 2022.[1]
VMware SD-WAN Edge is business software or equipment. Most families won’t have it, but attackers break into it to get inside companies, and from there to what those companies hold about their customers, patients and staff.
Description
CISA calls it a by veloCloud command injection in VMware SD-WAN Edge. In its words: “VMware SD-WAN Edge by VeloCloud contains a command injection vulnerability in the local web UI component. Successful exploitation of this issue could result in remote code execution.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “VMware NSX SD-WAN Edge by VeloCloud prior to version 3.1.0 contains a command injection vulnerability in the local web UI component. This component is disabled by default and should not be enabled on untrusted networks. VeloCloud by VMware will be removing this service from the product in future releases. Successful exploitation of this issue could result in remote code execution.”[2]
The underlying weakness is OS command injection (CWE-78), in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.
It scores 8.1 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it high, scored by NVD using CVSS 3.1.[2]
Affected versions
NVD’s record doesn’t list version ranges for it. CISA names the product as VMware SD-WAN Edge.
Most families won’t have VMware SD-WAN Edge; it’s for whoever looks after IT at work.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 25 Mar 2022, 1,383 days after it was made public. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 15 Apr 2022 to fix it.[1]
FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 85%. That’s in the top 1% of the flaws it scores.[3]
CISA assesses it as not automatable: each attack takes some work.
CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.
Fix
CISA’s required action: “Apply updates per vendor instructions.”[1]
- Check whether you use it.VMware SD-WAN Edge is business software or equipment, so most families won’t have it. If you run a business, or work from home on company equipment, ask whoever looks after your IT.
- Send this page to your IT person.Ask them to confirm it’s fixed, or not in use. CISA gave US government agencies until 15 Apr 2022 to fix it.
- If it can’t be fixed, take it offline.CISA’s advice when there’s no fix is to stop using the product, or take it off the internet, until there is one.
You can’t fix someone else’s server, but you can watch for what follows a break-in like this: a breach notice, a password reset you didn’t ask for, or a scam message that knows things it shouldn’t. HARD watches for those for you and your family.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 8.1.[2] | |
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks.[1] | |
| CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1] | |
| FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 85%.[3] |
See also
Other VMware flaws
- CVE-2025-22226, VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion: information disclosure ·
- CVE-2025-22225, VMware ESXi: arbitrary write ·
- CVE-2025-22224, VMware ESXi and Workstation: TOCTOU race condition ·
- CVE-2024-38813, VMware vCenter Server: privilege escalation ·
- CVE-2024-38812, VMware vCenter Server: heap-based buffer overflow ·
Other OS command injection flaws
- CVE-2026-110447, Collabora Online – Built-in CODE Server: online – built-in CODE server OS command injection ·
- CVE-2026-106931, EG Secure Solutions SiteGuard Server Edition: OS command injection ·
- CVE-2026-83549, SonicWall SMA1000 Appliances: OS command injection ·
- CVE-2026-49869, Kestra OSS: OSS OS command injection ·
- CVE-2026-73570, Synacor Zimbra Collaboration Suite (ZCS): OS command injection ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2022-26318, WatchGuard Firebox and XTM Appliances: arbitrary code execution ·
- CVE-2022-26143, Mitel MiCollab, MiVoice Business Express: access control ·
- CVE-2022-21999, Microsoft Windows: print spooler privilege escalation ·
- CVE-2021-42237, Sitecore XP: remote command execution ·
- CVE-2021-22941, Citrix ShareFile: improper access control ·
Every VMware flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in March 2022
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “VMware SD-WAN Edge by VeloCloud Command Injection Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 25 Mar 2022.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2018-6961 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 11 Jun 2018.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.853, percentile 99.7, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2018-6961”. The official CVE record.
This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.