How severe is CVE-2023-20854?

CVE-2023-20854 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.4, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2023-20854 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (21st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-20854?

CVE-2023-20854 affects Vmware Workstation. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-20854?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2023-20854 published?

CVE-2023-20854 was published on 2023-02-03 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-20854

CVE-2023-20854 is a high-severity vulnerability in Vmware Workstation with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.4. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-269.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.4)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (21st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-269
Affected product: Vmware Workstation
Published: 2023-02-03
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

VMware Workstation contains an arbitrary file deletion vulnerability. A malicious actor with local user privileges on the victim's machine may exploit this vulnerability to delete arbitrary files from the file system of the machine on which Workstation is installed.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-20854?: VMware Workstation contains an arbitrary file deletion vulnerability. A malicious actor with local user privileges on the victim's machine may exploit this vulnerability to delete arbitrary files from the file system of the machine on which Workstation is installed.
How severe is CVE-2023-20854?: CVE-2023-20854 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.4, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2023-20854 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (21st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-20854?: CVE-2023-20854 affects Vmware Workstation. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-20854?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2023-20854 published?: CVE-2023-20854 was published on 2023-02-03 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2023-0003.html

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:workstation:17.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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