TI-2023-16911 Aliases CVE-2023-34045 GHSA-gqww-mmf9-7x23

VMware Fusion installer local privilege escalation

LOW 35CWE-269Published 2023-10-20 · Updated 2025-03-07

Key facts

Attack vector: Local
Privileges required: Low
User interaction: None
Attack complexity: Low
Impact type: Privilege escalation
Confidentiality · integrity · availability: High · High · High
Fix status: Fixed

Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-269.

Summary

VMware Fusion(13.x prior to 13.5) contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability that occurs during installation for the first time (the user needs to drag or copy the application to a folder from the '.dmg' volume) or when installing an upgrade. A malicious actor with local non-administrative user privileges may exploit this vulnerability to escalate privileges to root on the system where Fusion is installed or being installed for the first time.

Why it matters now

Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV

EPSS 0.00165 5th percentileScored 2026-11-07

Fix Fixed Fusion (VMware): 13.5

SSVC decision points

CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3

Exploitation: None
Automatable: No
Technical impact: Total

The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.

Affected products

Vendor	Product	Affected versions	Fixed in	Status	Source
VMware	Fusion	13.x to before 13.5	13.5	Patch available	CNA

Fusion VendorVMware Affected 13.x to before 13.5 Fixed in 13.5 Patch available CNA

CPE configurations NVD · 2

CPE	Versions	Role	Vendor
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:fusion::::::::	13.0.0 to before 13.5	Vulnerable	VMware
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:-:::::::*	not specified by NVD	Running on	Apple

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:fusion:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 13.0.0 to before 13.5 Vulnerable ·VMware
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Apple

Remediation

Fix · CNA Fusion (VMware) Fixed in 13.5

Fixed in the same release

Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.

Release · 2023-10-20
VMware Fusion 13.5
3 records Highest priority Priority LOW 3 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2023-16912 VMware Fusion TOCTOU local privilege escalation vulnerabilityPriority LOW 32
- TI-2023-16910 Information disclosure vulnerability in bluetooth device-sharing functionalityPriority LOW 31
Show all 3 records →

Timeline

2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2023-34045
2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-gqww-mmf9-7x23

References

Advisory 1

https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2023-0022.html

TI-2020-03448 Improper privilege management in VMware Fusion, VMware Remote Console for Mac and Horizon… KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
TI-2025-16137 Out-of-bounds read in ESXi KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 7.1
TI-2017-03716 Observable discrepancy in Intel Most Modern Operating Systems CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.6
TI-2017-03034 Memory corruption in VMware Workstation Pro/Player CVSS 3.0CRITICAL 9.9
TI-2016-04622 Untrusted search path vulnerability in the HGFS (aka Shared Folders) feature in VMware… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
TI-2011-03420 Buffer overflow in VMware Workstation 7.x before 7.1.5, VMware Player 3.x before 3.1.5… CVSS 2.0HIGH 9.3

See all 130 →

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences