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CVE-2023-20867

VMware Tools Authentication Bypass

3.9 LOWActively exploited (CISA KEV)EPSS 13.5%
  1. Published13 Jun 2023
  2. Added to CISA KEV23 Jun 2023
  3. Remediation due14 Jul 2023
Actively exploited (CISA KEV)

VMware Tools contains an authentication bypass vulnerability in the vgauth module. A fully compromised ESXi host can force VMware Tools to fail to authenticate host-to-guest operations, impacting the confidentiality and integrity of the guest virtual machine. An attacker must have root access over ESXi to exploit this vulnerability.

Added to KEV: 23 Jun 2023Federal remediation due: 14 Jul 2023

Description

A fully compromised ESXi host can force VMware Tools to fail to authenticate host-to-guest operations, impacting the confidentiality and integrity of the guest virtual machine.

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorLocal
Attack complexityHigh
Privileges requiredHigh
User interactionNone
ScopeChanged
ConfidentialityLow
IntegrityLow
AvailabilityNone
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

Affected products

VMware Tools≥ 10.3.0 < 12.2.5
Debian Linux10.0 · 11.0 · 12.0
Fedoraproject Fedora37 · 38 · 39

Remediation

Fixed in
VMware Tools≥ 12.2.5

References

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Frequently asked

Is CVE-2023-20867 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2023-20867 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 23 Jun 2023.

How severe is CVE-2023-20867?

CVE-2023-20867 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 3.9, rated low. EPSS estimates a 13.5% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2023-20867?

Affected products include VMware Tools, Debian Linux, Fedoraproject Fedora.

How do I fix CVE-2023-20867?

Upgrade affected software to a fixed version, for example VMware Tools 12.2.5 or later, then confirm no affected versions remain in your inventory.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-20867 against the real software inventory on every managed device, as each hourly inventory arrives. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. Because it is on the CISA KEV list, a risk for it never ranks below high, and the update that fixes it moves to the Emergency patch lane. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

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Data from the NVD, CISA KEV catalog and FIRST EPSS. CVSS 3.1 base score shown where available.