# CVE-2025-22225: VMware ESXi Arbitrary Write Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2025-22225-vmware-esxi-arbitrary-write-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2025-03-04. Updated: 2026-05-09  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2025-22225 · Severity: critical · CVSS 8.2 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2025-03-04

VMware ESXi contains an arbitrary write vulnerability where an attacker with privileges within the VMX process can trigger a kernel write. This flaw allows for a sandbox escape, potentially granting the attacker control over the host system.

Technologies: [VMware ESXi](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/esxi), [VMware Fusion](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/fusion), [VMware Workstation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/workstation). Vendors: [VMware](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/vmware).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2025-22225 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2025-22225 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 4 March 2025. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2025-22225?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 8.2, published 4 March 2025.

**Which products and versions are affected?** VMware ESXi 7.0, 8.0; VMware Cloud Foundation; VMware Telco Cloud Infrastructure 2.2, 2.5, 2.7, 3.0; VMware Telco Cloud Platform 2.0, 2.5, 2.7, 3.0, 4.0, 4.0.1, 5.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2025-22225?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2025-22225 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2025-22225?** Check whether you run VMware ESXi, VMware Fusion or VMware Workstation. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- VMware ESXi 7.0, 8.0
- VMware Cloud Foundation
- VMware Telco Cloud Infrastructure 2.2, 2.5, 2.7, 3.0
- VMware Telco Cloud Platform 2.0, 2.5, 2.7, 3.0, 4.0, 4.0.1, 5.0

## Timeline

- 2025-03-04: disclosed: CVE received from VMware
- 2025-03-04: advisory: Vendor advisory published by Broadcom/VMware
- 2025-03-04: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2025-03-04: exploited: Reported as exploited in the wild per CISA KEV entry

## Related threats

- [VMware Workstation and Fusion stack buffer overflow in HGFS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-59347-vmware-workstation-and-fusion-contain-a-stack-based-buffer)
- [VMware Workstation and Fusion integer overflow in VMXNET3](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-59346-vmware-workstation-and-fusion-contain-an-integer-overflow)
- [VMware ESX insufficient logging vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-41709-vmware-esx-insufficient-logging-vulnerability)
- [VMware ESX out-of-bounds write in VMXNET3 adapter](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-47876-vmware-esx-out-of-bounds-write-in-vmxnet3-adapter)
- [VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion out-of-bounds read](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-41703-vmware-esxi-workstation-and-fusion-out-of-bounds-read)