CVE-2023-20895 : What You Need to Know

This CVE record was published by VMware on June 22, 2023. The vulnerability affects VMware vCenter Server and VMware Cloud Foundation, potentially allowing malicious actors to trigger a memory corruption vulnerability that could bypass authentication.

Understanding CVE-2023-20895

This section provides an in-depth look at the impact, technical details, affected systems, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2023-20895.

What is CVE-2023-20895?

The CVE-2023-20895 vulnerability involves a memory corruption issue in the implementation of the DCERPC protocol within VMware vCenter Server. An attacker with network access to the vCenter Server can exploit this vulnerability to bypass authentication.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20895

With a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.1 (High severity), the impact of CVE-2023-20895 is significant. The attack complexity is high, and an attacker can potentially disrupt service availability, compromise data confidentiality and integrity without requiring any special privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20895

Understanding the vulnerability, affected systems, and how exploitation can occur is crucial for implementing effective countermeasures.

Vulnerability Description

The memory corruption vulnerability in VMware vCenter Server's DCERPC protocol implementation allows attackers to manipulate memory and potentially execute unauthorized actions, such as bypassing authentication mechanisms.

Affected Systems and Versions

VMware vCenter Server (vCenter Server):

Versions Affected: 8.0 (less than 8.0 U1b), 7.0 (less than 7.0 U3m)
Platforms: Windows, Linux, Android, x86, ARM, 64-bit, 32-bit, MacOS, iOS

VMware Cloud Foundation (vCenter Server):

Versions Affected: 5.x (less than 7.0 U3m, 8.0 U1b), 4.x (less than 7.0 U3m, 8.0 U1b)
Platforms: Windows, Linux, Android, 64-bit, 32-bit, ARM, x86, MacOS, iOS

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability requires network access to the VMware vCenter Server and the ability to send specially crafted requests to trigger the memory corruption flaw.

Mitigation and Prevention

Taking necessary steps to address CVE-2023-20895 can help prevent potential security breaches and protect affected systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by VMware to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate an exploit attempt.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update VMware products with the latest security patches.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that VMware vCenter Server and VMware Cloud Foundation are updated to versions that address the CVE-2023-20895 vulnerability. Stay informed about security advisories and apply patches promptly to maintain the security of your environment.