CVE-2025-22225
HighExploitedPublic exploitVMware ESXi contains an arbitrary write vulnerability.
Published Mar 6, 2025 · Updated Aug 4, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2025-22225 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 8.2 v3.1) affecting Cloud Foundation (Vmware), Telco Cloud Infrastructure (Vmware), Telco Cloud Platform (Vmware) and 1 more product.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Mar 4, 2025 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 1.0% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Esxi ESXi70U3s-24585291, Esxi ESXi80U2d-24585300, Esxi ESXi80U3d-24585383.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
8.2
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
1.0%
Higher than 62.6% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings, used by ransomware
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2025-22225 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
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.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Mar 4, 2025 | Mar 25, 2025 | Known |
| Industry KEV feed | Mar 4, 2025 | Mar 25, 2025 | Known |
| CIRCL KEV | Mar 4, 2025 | Mar 25, 2025 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Mar 4, 2025 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Affected Products
59 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud FoundationVmware | >= 5.x, 4.5.x | n/a |
| Telco Cloud InfrastructureVmware | 2.2, 2.5, 2.7, 3.0, >= 3.x, 2.x | n/a |
| Telco Cloud PlatformVmware | 2.0, 2.5, 2.7, 3.0, 4.0, 4.0.1, 5.0, >= 5.x, 4.x, 3.x, 2.x | n/a |
| EsxiVmware | 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 | ESXi80U3d-24585383 |
Patched Releases
Esxi
ESXi70U3s-24585291, ESXi80U2d-24585300, ESXi80U3d-24585383
Timeline
Added to CISA KEV
Mar 4, 2025
Added to Industry KEV feed
Mar 4, 2025
Added to CIRCL KEV
Mar 4, 2025
Added to ENISA EUVD
Mar 4, 2025
Publicly disclosed
Mar 6, 2025
Last updated
Aug 4, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-123 Write-what-where Condition
- CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write
References
- advisoryVulnCheck exploitation report
- advisoryUSOM advisory
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
FAQ
Common Questions.
VMware ESXi contains an arbitrary write vulnerability.
Affected: Cloud Foundation (Vmware) versions >= 5.x, 4.5.x; Telco Cloud Infrastructure (Vmware) versions 2.2, 2.5, 2.7, 3.0, >= 3.x, 2.x; Telco Cloud Platform (Vmware) versions 2.0, 2.5, 2.7, 3.0, 4.0, 4.0.1, 5.0, >= 5.x, 4.x, 3.x, 2.x, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Mar 4, 2025 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
Yes. It was added on Mar 4, 2025 with a federal remediation due date of Mar 25, 2025.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Esxi ESXi70U3s-24585291, Esxi ESXi80U2d-24585300, Esxi ESXi80U3d-24585383.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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