CVE-2023-20887
About
Aria Operations for Networks contains a command injection vulnerability. A malicious actor with network access to VMware Aria Operations for Networks may be able to perform a command injection attack resulting in remote code execution.
Rainforest analyst review
This is a command injection vulnerability in VMware Aria Operations for Networks (formerly vRealize Network Insight). A network-reachable attacker sends input that the application incorporates into a system command without proper sanitization, so shell metacharacters break out of the intended command and run attacker-chosen commands. The result is remote code execution on the appliance, and public proof-of-concept exploitation followed quickly after disclosure.
Aria Operations for Networks is a network-monitoring and analytics platform that is deployed with deep visibility into an organization's infrastructure, and the appliance often holds credentials and connectivity to the environments it observes, so code execution there is a strong pivot rather than an isolated compromise. Because working exploits circulated soon after the CVE was published, any instance that was reachable during that period should be examined, not just patched. Apply VMware's fixed release, ensure the management interface is restricted to trusted administrative networks rather than broadly reachable, and inspect the appliance for signs of execution and any credentials it stored, rotating those tied to monitored systems.
References
Related CVEs
Frequently asked questions
What is CVE-2023-20887?
Aria Operations for Networks contains a command injection vulnerability. A malicious actor with network access to VMware Aria Operations for Networks may be able to perform a command injection attack resulting in remote code execution.
How severe is CVE-2023-20887?
CVE-2023-20887 carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8, rated critical. On the Rainforest Risk Index — which weighs the severity alongside how easy the flaw is to reach and how broad its impact is — it scores 99 out of 100, in the critical band.
How is CVE-2023-20887 exploited?
According to the CVSS vector (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H): attack vector Network, attack complexity Low, privileges required None, user interaction None. Impact on confidentiality High, integrity High and availability High.
Which products are affected by CVE-2023-20887?
Public advisories list the following as affected: aria operations for networks. Check the references on this page for the exact versions each vendor confirms.
How do I fix CVE-2023-20887?
Apply the fix the vendor published — the references on this page link to the primary advisories and patches. When patching can't happen right away, reduce the exposure of the affected component and watch it for exploitation attempts. Rainforest customers see this vulnerability correlated to their own assets and prioritized by real exposure, not by score alone.
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