VMware warns customers of exploit available for critical vRealize RCE flaw CVE-2023

VMware Aria Operations for Logs contains a deserialization vulnerability. An unauthenticated, malicious actor with network access to VMware Aria Operations for Logs may be able to execute arbitrary code as root.

VMware Aria Operations for Networks (formerly vRealize Network Insight) contains a command injection flaw (CWE-77) that allows an attacker with network access to the appliance to run arbitrary operating-system commands. Because the attack requires no authentication, privileges, or user interaction (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N), any party able to reach the product's network interface can trigger it, gaining remote code execution with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Any organization running the product is affected, with internet-facing deployments at the greatest risk. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild — CISA added the flaw to the KEV catalog on 2023-06-22, a public proof-of-concept exploit is available, and EPSS puts the 30-day exploitation probability at 98.3% (top percentile). Ransomware use is currently unknown.

Do: Apply the vendor's patched update to all Aria Operations for Networks deployments as soon as possible — this is also CISA's required KEV action (apply updates per vendor instructions); verify the installed build against VMware's advisory for affected ranges. Until patching is complete, restrict network access to the appliance (firewall rules, VPN, or management-segment isolation), prioritizing any instance reachable from the internet since no authentication is required to exploit. Hunt for indicators of command injection exploitation, as in-the-wild exploitation has been confirmed.