# CVE-2023-20887: Vmware Aria Operations for Networks Command Injection

> Attackers with network access can execute arbitrary commands on VMware Aria Operations for Networks, leading to remote code execution.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Yes, since 22 Jun 2023 (CISA KEV)
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 7 Jun 2023
- **Updated:** 21 Oct 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-8vx8-r5j3-f2vf

## What is CVE-2023-20887?

CVE-2023-20887 is a critical command injection vulnerability in Aria Operations for Networks (Formerly vRealize Network Insight), published on 7 Jun 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

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.

Weakness: CWE-77 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-20887?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Vmware Aria Operations for Networks.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-20887?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-20887 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 13 Jul 2023.

## Is CVE-2023-20887 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2023-20887 in the wild since at least 22 Jun 2023.

Public exploit code:

- VMWare vRealize Network Insight Pre-Authenticated RCE (CVE-2023-20887) (github_poc): https://github.com/sinsinology/CVE-2023-20887
- VMWare vRealize Network Insight Pre-Authenticated RCE (CVE-2023-20887) (github_poc): https://github.com/Malwareman007/CVE-2023-20887
- VMWare vRealize Network Insight Pre-Authenticated RCE (CVE-2023-20887) (github_poc): https://github.com/miko550/CVE-2023-20887
- VMWare Aria Operations for Networks (vRealize Network Insight) pre-authenticated RCE (metasploit)
- VMware VRealize Network Insight - Remote Code Execution (nuclei): http/cves/2023/CVE-2023-20887.yaml

## Other vulnerabilities in Aria Operations for Networks (Formerly vRealize Network Insight)

- [CVE-2023-34039](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-34039/): Auth bypass in Aria Operations for Networks (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2024-22237](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-22237/): Privilege escalation in VMware Aria Operations for Networks (high 7.8)
- [CVE-2023-20890](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-20890/): Path traversal in Aria Operations for Networks (high 7.2)
- [CVE-2024-22238](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-22238/): Cross-site scripting in VMware Aria Operations for Networks (medium 6.4)
- [CVE-2024-22239](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-22239/): Privilege escalation in VMware Aria Operations for Networks (medium 5.3)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-20887 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-20887 is a critical command injection vulnerability in Aria Operations for Networks (Formerly vRealize Network Insight), published on 7 Jun 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2023-20887 in the wild since at least 22 Jun 2023.

Affected product: Aria Operations for Networks (Formerly vRealize Network Insight). No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-20887/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-20887/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-20887
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-20887
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-20887

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-20887/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.