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CVE-2025-22225: VMware ESXi Arbitrary Write Vulnerability

75
Patch now
HIGH 8.2EXPLOITEDMITIGATEMITIGATEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2025-22225 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.2) affecting esxi, cloud foundation, telco cloud infrastructure, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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.

Why this priority

  • High severity
  • Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
  • Used in ransomware campaigns

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score8.2 (High)
Attack vectorLocal
Attack complexityLow
Privileges neededHigh
User interactionNone
EPSS exploit chance1.0% (top 37%)
CISA exploited listYes, fix due 2025-03-25, used in ransomware
WeaknessCWE-787, CWE-123
Published2025-03-04
Last modified2026-08-04
Publisher (CNA): VMware · Vendor: vmware

Share: LinkedIn · X · Reddit

Last updated 2026-08-04 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

vmware esxi MITIGATE
Affected: 7.0 · 7.0 beta · 7.0 update_1 · 7.0 update_1a · 7.0 update_1b · 7.0 update_1c · 7.0 update_1d · 7.0 update_1e
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0
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.
vmware cloud foundation 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 cloud-foundation || rpm -q cloud-foundation || cloud-foundation --version
No fixed or unaffected release known
Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.
vmware telco cloud infrastructure DOWNGRADE
Affected: 2.2 · 2.5 · 2.7 · 3.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.2
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy telco-cloud-infrastructure || rpm -q telco-cloud-infrastructure || telco-cloud-infrastructure --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison telco-cloud-infrastructure sudo apt install telco-cloud-infrastructure=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.2> sudo apt-mark hold telco-cloud-infrastructure
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list telco-cloud-infrastructure sudo dnf downgrade telco-cloud-infrastructure-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.2> sudo dnf versionlock add telco-cloud-infrastructure
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.
vmware telco cloud platform DOWNGRADE
Affected: 2.0 · 2.5 · 2.7 · 3.0 · 4.0 · 4.0.1 · 5.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy telco-cloud-platform || rpm -q telco-cloud-platform || telco-cloud-platform --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison telco-cloud-platform sudo apt install telco-cloud-platform=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0> sudo apt-mark hold telco-cloud-platform
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list telco-cloud-platform sudo dnf downgrade telco-cloud-platform-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0> sudo dnf versionlock add telco-cloud-platform
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.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.
Fedora 46 · opensips · FIXED · 4.0.3-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-6700a0026c · source
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-6700a0026c
Fedora ELN · ibus-typing-booster · FIXED · 2.31.3-1.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-c895c68d60 · source
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-c895c68d60
Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · CISA KEV catalog · 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-2025-22225?

esxi: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; cloud foundation: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; telco cloud infrastructure: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2025-22225 being exploited?

Yes. CVE-2025-22225 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.

What does CVE-2025-22225 affect?

CVE-2025-22225 affects esxi, cloud foundation, telco cloud infrastructure. Severity is high (CVSS 8.2). 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.

How urgent is CVE-2025-22225?

Priority 75/100. High severity; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV); Used in ransomware campaigns

Software pages

VMware vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

References

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