# CVE-2023-20888: Deserialization in Aria Operations for Networks (Formerly vRealize Network Insight)

> Authenticated attackers with member credentials can achieve remote code execution via deserialization in VMware Aria Operations for Networks.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 7 Jun 2023
- **Updated:** 7 Jan 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-pv9w-3hhv-xhxr

## What is CVE-2023-20888?

CVE-2023-20888 is a high-severity unsafe deserialization vulnerability in Aria Operations for Networks (Formerly vRealize Network Insight), published on 7 Jun 2023. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Aria Operations for Networks contains an authenticated deserialization vulnerability. A malicious actor with network access to VMware Aria Operations for Networks and valid 'member' role credentials may be able to perform a deserialization attack resulting in remote code execution.

Weakness: CWE-502 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-20888?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Vmware Vrealize Network Insight.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-20888?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-20888 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-20888 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-20888 exists.

Public exploit code:

- VMware Aria Operations for Networks - Remote Code Execution (nuclei): http/cves/2023/CVE-2023-20888.yaml

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

- [CVE-2022-31702](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-31702/): Command injection in VMware vRealize Network Insight (vRNI) (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2023-20889](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-20889/): Command injection in Aria Operations for Networks (Formerly vRealize Network Insight) (high 7.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-20888 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-20888 is a high-severity unsafe deserialization vulnerability in Aria Operations for Networks (Formerly vRealize Network Insight), published on 7 Jun 2023. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-20888 exists.

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-2023-20888/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-20888/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-20888
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-20888
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-20888

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-20888/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.