Exploited· due 2025-03-25used in ransomware
CVE-2025-22225
VMware ESXi
VMware ESXi contains an arbitrary write vulnerability. Successful exploitation allows an attacker with privileges within the VMX process to trigger an arbitrary kernel write leading to an escape of the sandbox.
Exploitation status
- CISA has confirmed this is being exploited in the wild. That is an observation of real attacks, not a prediction.
- It is known to have been used in ransomware campaigns.
- US federal civilian agencies are required to remediate it by 2025-03-25. That deadline does not bind private companies, but it is a reasonable benchmark for how urgently CISA views it.
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.
CISA’s wording, unedited.
Scoring
- CVSS
- Not yet scored
Dates
- Published
- 2025-03-04
- Added to KEV
- 2025-03-04
- Remediation due
- 2025-03-25
- Sources
- CISA KEV