In 2024, ransomware targeting VMware ESXi servers has surged, with average ransom demands reaching $5 million, exposing roughly 8,000 hosts directly to the internet, leading to severe operational impacts.
Attackers leverage variants of Babuk ransomware, designed to evade detection, and monetize access points by selling Initial Access to other threat actors, increasing vulnerabilities and security challenges.
Understanding the architecture of ESXi and the role of the vCenter server, including the use of 'vpxuser' with root permissions, is crucial for identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities.
The central role of the vCenter server in managing ESXi hosts, along with its storage of encrypted passwords, highlights the significant security risks if compromised.
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