CVE-2023-20867: VMware Tools Authentication Bypass Vulnerability

Patch now

LOW 3.9EXPLOITEDWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2023-20867 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 3.9) affecting tools, debian linux, fedora, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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.

Why this priority

EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited
Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	3.9 (Low)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	13.6% (top 4%)
CISA exploited list	Yes, fix due 2023-07-14
Weakness	CWE-287
Published	2023-06-13
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): VMware · Vendor: debian · fedoraproject · vmware

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-06-13 17:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2023-06-23Exploited Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
2023-07-14Deadline CISA due date for US federal agencies to patch
2026-06-17 05:31 UTCUpdated Record last modified

vmware tools UPGRADE

Affected: >= 10.3.0 and < 12.2.5

Fixed in: 12.2.5

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.3.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy tools || rpm -q tools || tools --version

2. UPGRADE to 12.2.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade tools

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade tools

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 10.3.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison tools sudo apt install tools=<VERSION_BEFORE_10.3.0> sudo apt-mark hold tools

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list tools sudo dnf downgrade tools-<VERSION_BEFORE_10.3.0> sudo dnf versionlock add tools

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 10.0 · 11.0 · 12.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 37 · 38 · 39

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 37

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

Fedora 46 · iodine · FIXED · 0.9.0-2.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-4448545972 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-4448545972

Fedora ELN · python-idna · FIXED · 3.20-1.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-4421e6642f · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-4421e6642f

Ubuntu 22.04 · open-vm-tools · FIXED · 2:12.1.5-3~ubuntu0.22.04.2

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade open-vm-tools dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' open-vm-tools)" ge "2:12.1.5-3~ubuntu0.22.04.2" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Ubuntu 20.04 · open-vm-tools · FIXED · 2:11.3.0-2ubuntu0~ubuntu20.04.5

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade open-vm-tools dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' open-vm-tools)" ge "2:11.3.0-2ubuntu0~ubuntu20.04.5" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Debian 12 · open-vm-tools · FIXED · 2:12.2.0-1+deb12u1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade open-vm-tools dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' open-vm-tools)" ge "2:12.2.0-1+deb12u1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Debian 13 · open-vm-tools · FIXED · 2:12.2.5-1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade open-vm-tools dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' open-vm-tools)" ge "2:12.2.5-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

RHEL 7 · open-vm-tools · FIXED · open-vm-tools-11.0.5-3.el7_9.6

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2023:3944 rpm -q open-vm-tools

RHEL 8 · open-vm-tools · FIXED · open-vm-tools-12.1.5-2.el8_8

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2023:3949 rpm -q open-vm-tools

RHEL 8.2 Advanced Update Support · open-vm-tools · FIXED · open-vm-tools-11.0.0-4.el8_2.2

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2023:3945 rpm -q open-vm-tools

RHEL 8.2 Telecommunications Update Service · open-vm-tools · FIXED · open-vm-tools-11.0.0-4.el8_2.2

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2023:3945 rpm -q open-vm-tools

RHEL 8.2 Update Services for SAP Solutions · open-vm-tools · FIXED · open-vm-tools-11.0.0-4.el8_2.2

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2023:3945 rpm -q open-vm-tools

Alpine 3.20 · open-vm-tools · FIXED · open-vm-tools-12.2.5-r0

apk add --upgrade open-vm-tools apk info -v open-vm-tools

Alpine 3.21 · open-vm-tools · FIXED · open-vm-tools-12.2.5-r0

apk add --upgrade open-vm-tools apk info -v open-vm-tools

Alpine 3.22 · open-vm-tools · FIXED · open-vm-tools-12.2.5-r0

apk add --upgrade open-vm-tools apk info -v open-vm-tools

Alpine 3.23 · open-vm-tools · FIXED · open-vm-tools-12.2.5-r0

apk add --upgrade open-vm-tools apk info -v open-vm-tools

Amazon Linux 2023 · see advisory · FIXED · ALAS2023-2023-259 · source

sudo dnf update --advisory=ALAS2023-2023-259

Amazon Linux 2 · see advisory · FIXED · ALAS2-2023-2139 · source

sudo yum update --advisory=ALAS2-2023-2139

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · CISA KEV catalog · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2023-20867?

tools: upgrade to 12.2.5; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-20867 being exploited?

Yes. CVE-2023-20867 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.

What does CVE-2023-20867 affect?

CVE-2023-20867 affects tools, debian linux, fedora. Severity is low (CVSS 3.9). 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 urgent is CVE-2023-20867?

Priority 68/100. EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV); On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities · VMware vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2023-20900 HIGH 7.1 UPGRADE UPGRADE A malicious actor that has been granted Guest Operation Privileges https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/
CVE-2023-34058 HIGH 7.1 UPGRADE MITIGATE VMware Tools contains a SAML token signature bypass vulnerability. A malicious actor that has been granted Gu
CVE-2023-34057 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE VMware Tools contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability. A malicious actor with local user access to
CVE-2022-31693 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE VMware Tools for Windows (12.x.y prior to 12.1.5, 11.x.y and 10.x.y) contains a denial-of-service vulnerabilit
CVE-2022-31676 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE MITIGATE VMware Tools (12.0.0, 11.x.y and 10.x.y) contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability

References

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