# CVE-2023-20893: Use after free in VMware Cloud Foundation (vCenter Server)

> A remote attacker can execute arbitrary code on the host OS via a use-after-free flaw in the DCERPC protocol implementation.

- **Severity:** High 8.1 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 22 Jun 2023
- **Updated:** 13 Feb 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-r9q7-6mw7-hmpc

## What is CVE-2023-20893?

CVE-2023-20893 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Vmware Vcenter Server, published on 22 Jun 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

The VMware vCenter Server contains a use-after-free vulnerability in the implementation of the DCERPC protocol. A malicious actor with network access to vCenter Server may exploit this issue to execute arbitrary code on the underlying operating system that hosts vCenter Server.

Weakness: CWE-416 (Use After Free)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-20893?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Vmware Vcenter Server.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-20893?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-20893 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-20893 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-20893 exists.

## Other vulnerabilities in Vmware Vcenter Server

- [CVE-2026-59310](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-59310/): Broadcom VMware vCenter Path Traversal (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2023-34048](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-34048/): VMware vCenter Server Out-of-Bounds Write (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2020-3952](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-3952/): VMware vCenter Server Information Disclosure (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2021-22017](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-22017/): VMware vCenter Server Improper Access Control (medium 5.3, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2015-2342](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-2342/): Code injection in n/a (critical 10.0)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-20893 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-20893 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Vmware Vcenter Server, published on 22 Jun 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-20893 exists.

Affected product: Vmware Vcenter Server. 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-2023-20893/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-20893/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-20893
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-20893
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-20893

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-20893/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.