How severe is CVE-2023-20878?

CVE-2023-20878 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2023-20878 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (59th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-20878?

CVE-2023-20878 primarily affects Vmware Cloud Foundation. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-20878?

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-2023-20878 published?

CVE-2023-20878 was published on 2023-05-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-20878

CVE-2023-20878 is a high-severity vulnerability in Vmware Cloud Foundation with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2. 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-502.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.2)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (59th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-502
Affected product: Vmware Cloud Foundation
Published: 2023-05-12
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

VMware Aria Operations contains a deserialization vulnerability. A malicious actor with administrative privileges can execute arbitrary commands and disrupt the system.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-20878?: VMware Aria Operations contains a deserialization vulnerability. A malicious actor with administrative privileges can execute arbitrary commands and disrupt the system.
How severe is CVE-2023-20878?: CVE-2023-20878 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2023-20878 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (59th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-20878?: CVE-2023-20878 primarily affects Vmware Cloud Foundation. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-20878?: 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-2023-20878 published?: CVE-2023-20878 was published on 2023-05-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2023-0009.html

Affected products (12)

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:cloud_foundation:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vrealize_operations:8.6.0:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vrealize_operations:8.6.0:hotfix1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vrealize_operations:8.6.0:hotfix2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vrealize_operations:8.6.0:hotfix4:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vrealize_operations:8.6.0:hotfix5:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vrealize_operations:8.6.0:hotfix6:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vrealize_operations:8.6.0:hotfix8:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vrealize_operations:8.6.0:hotfix9:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vrealize_operations:8.10.0:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vrealize_operations:8.10.0:hotfix1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vrealize_operations:8.10.0:hotfix2:*:*:*:*:*:*

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