CVE-2023-20867

Name: CVE-2023-20867
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2023-06-13T17:15:14.07+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

LOWCVSS 3.9/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 13.64%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2023-20867 is a low-severity vulnerability rated 3.9/10 on the CVSS scale. 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.. CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 13.64% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

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.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

3.9/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

EPSS Probability

13.64%

96.0th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Exploitation Status

This vulnerability is listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies must remediate by Jul 14, 2023.

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-287

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Vmware	Tools	>= 10.3.0, < 12.2.5
Debian	Debian Linux	10.0
Debian	Debian Linux	11.0
Debian	Debian Linux	12.0
Fedoraproject	Fedora	37
Fedoraproject	Fedora	38
Fedoraproject	Fedora	39

References

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/16/11Mailing List, Patch
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/16/2Mailing List, Patch
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/08/msg00020.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/NVKQ6Y2JFJRWPFOZUOTFO3H27BK5GGOG/Mailing List, Release Notes
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/TJNJMD67QIT6LXLKWSHFM47DCLRSMT6W/Mailing List, Release Notes
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/ZJM6HDRQYS74JA7YNKQBFH2XSZ52HEWH/Mailing List, Release Notes
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20230725-0001/Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5493Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2023-0013.htmlPatch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/16/11Mailing List, Patch
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/16/2Mailing List, Patch
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/08/msg00020.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/NVKQ6Y2JFJRWPFOZUOTFO3H27BK5GGOG/Mailing List, Release Notes
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/TJNJMD67QIT6LXLKWSHFM47DCLRSMT6W/Mailing List, Release Notes
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/ZJM6HDRQYS74JA7YNKQBFH2XSZ52HEWH/Mailing List, Release Notes
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20230725-0001/Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5493Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2023-0013.htmlPatch, Vendor Advisory
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-20867US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Jun 13, 2023
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-20867?

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.

How severe is CVE-2023-20867?

CVE-2023-20867 has a CVSS score of 3.9/10 (LOW severity). The EPSS model estimates a 13.64% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2023-20867?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2023-20867?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST