# CVE-2023-20867: VMware Tools Authentication Bypass Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-20867-vmware-tools-authentication-bypass-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2023-06-23. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2023-20867 · Severity: critical · CVSS 3.9 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2023-06-23

VMware Tools contains an authentication bypass vulnerability in the vgauth module. A fully compromised ESXi host can bypass authentication for host-to-guest operations, allowing an attacker with root access on the host to impact the confidentiality and integrity of the guest virtual machine.

Vendors: [VMware](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/vmware).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2023-20867 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2023-20867 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 23 June 2023. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2023-20867?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 3.9, published 23 June 2023.

**Which products and versions are affected?** VMware VMware Tools; VMware ESXi.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2023-20867?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2023-20867 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2023-20867?** Check whether you run VMware Tools. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- VMware VMware Tools
- VMware ESXi

## Timeline

- 2023-06-23: disclosed
- 2023-06-23: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2023-06-23: exploited: Reported as exploited in the wild at time of publication.