CVE-2025-22225 VMware ESXi Arbitrary Write
A malicious actor with VMX privileges can trigger an arbitrary kernel write to escape the sandbox, requiring immediate patching of VMware ESXi.
- Exploited in the wild
- Since 4 Mar 2025
- Login needed
- An administrator
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2025-22225?
CVE-2025-22225 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Vmware Cloud Foundation, published on 4 Mar 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
VMware ESXi contains an arbitrary write vulnerability. A malicious actor with privileges within the VMX process may trigger an arbitrary kernel write leading to an escape of the sandbox.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-22225?
It affects 4 products.
Products include Vmware Cloud Foundation, Vmware Esxi, Vmware Telco Cloud Infrastructure, Vmware Telco Cloud Platform.
How do I fix CVE-2025-22225?
No fix has been published for CVE-2025-22225 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 25 Mar 2025.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2025-22225 being exploited?
Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2025-22225 in the wild since at least 4 Mar 2025, including in ransomware campaigns.
Other vulnerabilities in Vmware Cloud Foundation
- CVE-2024-38812 VMware vCenter Server Heap-Based Buffer Overflow
- CVE-2024-37079 Broadcom VMware vCenter Server Out-of-bounds Write
- CVE-2022-22954 VMware Workspace ONE Access and Identity Manager Server-Side Template Injection
- CVE-2021-22005 VMware vCenter Server File Upload
- CVE-2021-21985 VMware vCenter Server Improper Input Validation
Sources
Also known as GHSA-2cxw-wgvv-24jj.