CVE-2025-22247
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2025-22247 is an insecure file handling vulnerability in VMware Tools that allows non-administrative users on a guest VM to manipulate local files and trigger insecure file operations within that VM. This affects VMware environments where guest VMs have VMware Tools installed and users have local access.
💻 Affected Systems
- VMware Tools
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker could escalate privileges to gain administrative control of the guest VM, potentially leading to full VM compromise and lateral movement to other systems.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation within the guest VM, allowing attackers to bypass security controls and execute arbitrary code with higher privileges.
If Mitigated
Limited to file manipulation within the guest VM without network access or ability to affect the hypervisor.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access to the guest VM and knowledge of file manipulation techniques.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check VMware Security Advisory VMSA-2025-000X for specific patched versions
Vendor Advisory: https://support.broadcom.com/web/ecx/support-content-notification/-/external/content/SecurityAdvisories/0/25683
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Review VMware Security Advisory VMSA-2025-000X. 2. Download and install the latest VMware Tools version for your guest OS. 3. Restart the guest VM after installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict local user access
allLimit non-administrative user access to guest VMs to reduce attack surface
Implement file integrity monitoring
allMonitor critical system files for unauthorized changes
# Example for Linux: install aide or tripwire
# Example for Windows: enable Windows Defender Controlled Folder Access
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit who has local access to guest VMs
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious file operations
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check VMware Tools version on guest VM and compare against patched versions in VMware advisoryCheck Version:
Linux: vmware-toolbox-cmd -v, Windows: Check Add/Remove Programs or run 'VMwareToolboxCmd.exe -v'Verify Fix Applied:
Verify VMware Tools version matches or exceeds patched version listed in VMware advisory📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file modification events in system logs
- Suspicious process creation related to VMware Tools
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
EventID=4663 OR EventID=4656 (Windows file access events) with process_name containing 'vmware'🔗 References
- https://support.broadcom.com/web/ecx/support-content-notification/-/external/content/SecurityAdvisories/0/25683
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/05/12/2
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/05/13/2
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/09/24/3
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/09/25/3
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/09/25/5
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/09/26/1
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/05/msg00017.html
