---
title: "CVE-2023-20867: VMware Tools Authentication Bypass… | CubePath"
description: "A fully compromised ESXi host can force VMware Tools to fail to authenticate host-to-guest operations, impacting the confidentiality and integrity…"
language: en
source: https://cubepath.com/security/cve/CVE-2023-20867
---

# CVE-2023-20867: VMware Tools Authentication Bypass… | CubePath

## 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.

Official description from the CVE record, published by vmware. Copyright © 1999-2026 The MITRE Corporation. See [/security/cve/legal](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal) for the CVE license. [View the record on cve.org](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-20867)

## Key data

### CVSS 3.1 Low 3.9

Score published by vmware in the CVE record.

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

| Metric                 | Value   | What it means                                                                             |
| ---------------------- | ------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Attack vector          | Local   | The attacker needs local access to the system, or to trick a user into running something. |
| Attack complexity      | High    | The attack depends on conditions outside the attacker's control, so it takes preparation. |
| Privileges required    | High    | An account with significant privileges, such as an administrator, is needed.              |
| User interaction       | None    | No action from any user is needed.                                                        |
| Scope                  | Changed | The impact can reach other components beyond the vulnerable one.                          |
| Confidentiality impact | Low     | Limited effect on the secrecy of data.                                                    |
| Integrity impact       | Low     | Limited effect on the trustworthiness of data.                                            |
| Availability impact    | None    | No effect on availability.                                                                |

CVSS is owned and managed by FIRST.Org, Inc. (FIRST) and is used by permission. Each CVSS score on this site is shown together with its vector string, as published in the CVE record by the source named next to it. Learn more at [first.org/cvss](https://www.first.org/cvss/) .

### EPSS

Exploit Prediction Scoring System by FIRST: an estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days.

Score

0.13638 (13.6% probability)

Percentile

96.5%

Scores of

Nov 10, 2026

Model

v2026.06.15

### CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities

This CVE is listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

Name in the catalog

VMware Tools Authentication Bypass Vulnerability

Added to the catalog

Jun 23, 2023

Federal due date

Jul 14, 2023

### CISA assessment as of Feb 4, 2025

Stakeholder-Specific Vulnerability Categorization (SSVC) decision points added by CISA.

Exploitation

Recorded by CISA as active

Automatable

no

Technical impact

partial

### Weakness (CWE)

CWE catalog version 5.0.

CWE names: Copyright © 2006-2026, The MITRE Corporation. See [/security/cve/legal](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal) for the CWE license.

- [CWE-287](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/287.html) Improper Authentication

## Products listed as not affected

Products listed in the CVE record, as the CNA published them.

- VMware Tools

## References

Links listed in the CVE record. They lead to other sites, which CubePath does not control.

- [vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2023-0013.html](https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2023-0013.html)
- [security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20230725-0001](https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20230725-0001/)
- [lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/08/msg00020.html](https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/08/msg00020.html)
- [debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5493](https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5493)
- [lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@list…](https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/ZJM6HDRQYS74JA7YNKQBFH2XSZ52HEWH/)
- [lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@list…](https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/NVKQ6Y2JFJRWPFOZUOTFO3H27BK5GGOG/)
- [lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@list…](https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/TJNJMD67QIT6LXLKWSHFM47DCLRSMT6W/)
- [openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/16/2](http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/16/2)
- [openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/16/11](http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/16/11)

## Timeline

1. ID reserved Nov 1, 2022
2. Record published Jun 13, 2023
3. Added to CISA KEV Jun 23, 2023
4. Record last updated Oct 21, 2025

## Look up another CVE

## About CubePath

CubePath is a cloud provider with data centers in Europe and the United States. It offers VPS, bare metal servers and DDoS protection.

[Cloud VPS](https://cubepath.com/vps) [DDoS protection](https://cubepath.com/ddos-protection)

Data from the CVE Program (MITRE), CISA KEV and FIRST EPSS. CVSS is owned by FIRST and used by permission. Not affiliated with or endorsed by MITRE, CISA or FIRST. Data as of Nov 10, 2026, 20:03 UTC. [Sources and licenses](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal)