CVE-2023-20867
LowExploitedPublic exploitopen-vm-tools - security update
Published Jun 14, 2023 · Updated Aug 7, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2023-20867, DLA-3531-1, DSA-5493-1, SUSE-SU-2023:2530-1, SUSE-SU-2023:2604-1, SUSE-SU-2023:2604-2, SUSE-SU-2023:3504-1, SUSE-SU-2023:3505-1, TR-23-0348, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-20867, USN-6257-1
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2023-20867 is a low-severity vulnerability (CVSS 3.9 v3.1) affecting Tools (Vmware), Debian Linux, Fedora (Fedoraproject) and 10 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Jun 13, 2023 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 14% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including libvmtools-devel 11.3.5-150100.4.37.18.1, libvmtools-devel 11.3.5-150200.5.16.16.1, libvmtools-devel 12.2.0-150300.29.1.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
3.9
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
14%
Higher than 96.4% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings, used by ransomware
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2023-20867 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
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.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Jun 23, 2023 | Jul 14, 2023 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Jun 13, 2023 | Jul 14, 2023 | Known |
| CIRCL KEV | Jun 23, 2023 | Jul 14, 2023 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Jun 23, 2023 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
231 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| ToolsVmware | See advisory | 12.2.5 |
| Debian LinuxDebian | 10.0, 11.0, 12.0 | n/a |
| FedoraFedoraproject | 37, 38, 39 | n/a |
| open-vm-toolsalpine | See advisory | 12.2.5-r0 |
| open-vm-tools-desktopamazon | See advisory | 12.2.5-1.amzn2 |
Patched Releases
libvmtools-devel
11.3.5-150100.4.37.18.1, 11.3.5-150200.5.16.16.1, 12.2.0-150300.29.1, 12.2.0-4.1
libvmtools0
11.3.5-150100.4.37.18.1, 11.3.5-150200.5.16.16.1, 12.2.0-150300.29.1, 12.2.0-4.1, 12.2.0-4.53.1
open-vm-tools
0:11.0.5-3.el7_9.6, 0:11.2.0-2.el8_4.2, 0:11.3.5-1.el9_0.2, 11.0.5-3.0.1.el7_9.6, 11.3.5-150100.4.37.18.1, 11.3.5-150200.5.16.16.1, 12.1.5-1.0.2.el8, 12.1.5-1.0.2.el9, 12.1.5-1.el9_2.1, 12.1.5-1.el9_2.1.alma, 12.1.5-2.el8_8, 12.1.5-2.el8_8.alma, 12.2.0-150300.29.1, 12.2.0-2.ph3, 12.2.0-2.ph4, 12.2.0-3.ph5, 12.2.0-4.1, 12.2.0-4.53.1, 12.2.5-1.amzn2, 12.2.5-1.amzn2023, 12.2.5-r0, 2:10.2.0-3~ubuntu0.16.04.1+esm2, 2:10.3.10-1+deb10u4, 2:11.0.5-4ubuntu0.18.04.3+esm1, 2:11.2.5-2+deb11u2, 2:11.3.0-2ubuntu0~ubuntu20.04.5, 2:12.1.5-3~ubuntu0.22.04.2, 2:12.2.0-1+deb12u1, 2:12.2.5-1
open-vm-tools-containerinfo
12.2.0-4.1
open-vm-tools-desktop
11.0.5-3.0.1.el7_9.6, 11.3.5-150100.4.37.18.1, 11.3.5-150200.5.16.16.1, 12.1.5-1.0.2.el8, 12.1.5-1.0.2.el9, 12.2.0-150300.29.1, 12.2.0-4.1, 12.2.0-4.53.1, 12.2.5-1.amzn2, 12.2.5-1.amzn2023
open-vm-tools-devel
11.0.5-3.0.1.el7_9.6, 12.2.0-2.ph4, 12.2.0-3.ph5, 12.2.5-1.amzn2, 12.2.5-1.amzn2023
open-vm-tools-gosc
12.2.0-2.ph4, 12.2.0-3.ph5
open-vm-tools-salt-minion
12.1.5-1.0.2.el8, 12.1.5-1.0.2.el9, 12.2.0-150300.29.1, 12.2.0-4.1, 12.2.0-4.53.1, 12.2.5-1.amzn2, 12.2.5-1.amzn2023
open-vm-tools-sdmp
11.3.5-150100.4.37.18.1, 11.3.5-150200.5.16.16.1, 12.1.5-1.0.2.el8, 12.1.5-1.0.2.el9, 12.2.0-150300.29.1, 12.2.0-2.ph4, 12.2.0-3.ph5, 12.2.0-4.1, 12.2.0-4.53.1, 12.2.5-1.amzn2, 12.2.5-1.amzn2023
open-vm-tools-test
11.0.5-3.0.1.el7_9.6, 12.1.5-1.0.2.el9, 12.2.5-1.amzn2, 12.2.5-1.amzn2023
Tools
12.2.5
Timeline
Added to Industry KEV feed
Jun 13, 2023
Publicly disclosed
Jun 14, 2023
Added to CISA KEV
Jun 23, 2023
Added to CIRCL KEV
Jun 23, 2023
Added to ENISA EUVD
Jun 23, 2023
Last updated
Aug 7, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-287 Improper Authentication
References
- advisoryRHSA-2023:3944
- advisoryRHSA-2023:3945
- advisoryRHSA-2023:3946
- advisoryRHSA-2023:3947
- advisoryRHSA-2023:3948
FAQ
Common Questions.
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.
Affected: Tools (Vmware); Debian Linux versions 10.0, 11.0, 12.0; Fedora (Fedoraproject) versions 37, 38, 39, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Jun 13, 2023 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
Yes. It was added on Jun 23, 2023 with a federal remediation due date of Jul 14, 2023.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including libvmtools-devel 11.3.5-150100.4.37.18.1, libvmtools-devel 11.3.5-150200.5.16.16.1, libvmtools-devel 12.2.0-150300.29.1.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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