# CVE-2018-6961: VMware SD-WAN Edge by VeloCloud Command Injection

> Command injection in the disabled local web UI allows remote code execution if enabled on untrusted networks.

- **Severity:** High 8.1 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Yes, since 25 Mar 2022 (CISA KEV)
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 11 Jun 2018
- **Updated:** 21 Oct 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-rvjq-qp5f-gvx6

## What is CVE-2018-6961?

CVE-2018-6961 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in VMware NSX SD-WAN by VeloCloud, published on 11 Jun 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

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.

Weakness: CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-6961?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Vmware Nsx Sd-Wan by Velocloud.

## How do I fix CVE-2018-6961?

No fix has been published for CVE-2018-6961 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 15 Apr 2022.

## Is CVE-2018-6961 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2018-6961 in the wild since at least 25 Mar 2022.

Public exploit code:

- VMware NSX SD-WAN command injection vulnerability  (github_poc): https://github.com/r3dxpl0it/CVE-2018-6961
- veloCloud VMWare - Vulnerability (github_poc): https://github.com/bokanrb/CVE-2018-6961
- VMware NSX SD-WAN Edge < 3.1.2 - Command Injection (exploitdb)
- VMware NSX SD-WAN Edge - Command Injection (nuclei): http/cves/2018/CVE-2018-6961.yaml

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2018-6961 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2018-6961 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in VMware NSX SD-WAN by VeloCloud, published on 11 Jun 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2018-6961 in the wild since at least 25 Mar 2022.

Affected product: VMware NSX SD-WAN by VeloCloud. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-6961/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-6961/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-6961
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-6961
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2018-6961

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-6961/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.