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Exploited vulnerability · CISA KEV

Is CVE-2023-20867 exploited? Yes: in CISA KEV since 23 Jun 2023

Gociux · VMware Tools · data: CISA KEV, CVE record, FIRST EPSS

Yes. CVE-2023-20867, VMware Tools Authentication Bypass Vulnerability, is being exploited in the wild. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 23 Jun 2023, 10 days after it was published. It affects VMware Tools. If you run it, CISA's required action is: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

exploitedYesCISA KEV · 23 Jun 2023
ransomwareNot knownno confirmed use
EPSStop 5%very likely to be exploited
severity3.9CVSS 3.1 · low
US federal due14 Jul 2023BOD 22-01 deadline

What it is

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.

VendorVMware (26 exploited CVEs in KEV)
ProductTools
VulnerabilityVMware Tools Authentication Bypass Vulnerability
WeaknessCWE-287
Published13 Jun 2023
Added to KEV23 Jun 2023
Reported by (CNA)vmware

What to do

  1. Check whether you run it. Look for Tools in your asset inventory, including appliances and cloud images. Stack check lists every exploited VMware CVE at once.
  2. Apply the fix. Apply updates per vendor instructions.
  3. If you can't patch today, take the affected service off the internet or restrict who can reach it, and check its logs for signs of compromise since 13 Jun 2023.
  4. Get told next time. Email alerts when CISA adds a CVE for VMware.

References

Questions

Is CVE-2023-20867 being exploited?

Yes. CISA added CVE-2023-20867 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 23 Jun 2023, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild.

Is CVE-2023-20867 used in ransomware attacks?

CISA does not list known ransomware use for it. That can change, and exploitation alone is reason to fix it first.

How do I fix CVE-2023-20867?

Apply updates per vendor instructions. Check VMware's advisory for the fixed versions, and if you can't patch quickly, restrict access to the affected Tools and watch it for signs of compromise.

Sources: CISA KEV (exploitation, ransomware use, required action, due date), the CVE record (publication date, CVSS, CNA), NVD and FIRST EPSS (live score). More: all KEV additions in June 2023 · VMware scorecard · act-now radar.

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