CVE-2022-31676: VMware Tools (12.0.0, 11.x.y and 10.x.y) contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability

This month

HIGH 7.8WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2022-31676 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting tools, debian linux, fedora. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

VMware Tools (12.0.0, 11.x.y and 10.x.y) contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability. A malicious actor with local non-administrative access to the Guest OS can escalate privileges as a root user in the virtual machine.

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 54%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-269
Published	2022-08-23
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): VMware · Vendor: debian · fedoraproject · netapp · vmware

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-08-23 20:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:46 UTCUpdated Record last modified

vmware tools UPGRADE

Affected: >= 10.0.0 and < 12.1.0 · >= 10.0.0 and < 10.3.25 · >= 11.0.0 and < 12.1.0

Fixed in: 10.3.25, 12.1.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy tools || rpm -q tools || tools --version

2. UPGRADE to 10.3.25 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade tools

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade tools

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 10.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison tools sudo apt install tools=<VERSION_BEFORE_10.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold tools

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list tools sudo dnf downgrade tools-<VERSION_BEFORE_10.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add tools

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 10.0 · 11.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 36 · 37

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 36

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

netapp ontap select deploy administration utility MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy ontap-select-deploy-administration-utility || rpm -q ontap-select-deploy-administration-utility || ontap-select-deploy-administration-utility --version

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2022-31676?

tools: upgrade to 10.3.25, 12.1.0; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2022-31676 being exploited?

CVE-2022-31676 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2022-31676 affect?

CVE-2022-31676 affects tools, debian linux, fedora. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). VMware Tools (12.0.0, 11.x.y and 10.x.y) contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability. A malicious actor with local non-administrative access to the Guest OS can escalate privileges as a root user in the virtual machine.

How urgent is CVE-2022-31676?

Priority 44/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities · VMware vulnerabilities

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References

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