VMware ESXi Arbitrary Write Vulnerability (CVE-2025-22225)
Severity: high · Patch status: unknown · Since 2025-03-04 · CVE-2025-22225
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. CISA added CVE-2025-22225 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Mar 4, 2025, which means attackers are exploiting it in the wild. CISA reports known use in ransomware campaigns.
What to do
- Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- US federal agencies must remediate by Mar 25, 2025 (BOD 22-01); treat that as the outer limit.
Sources
All live incidents on Threat Watch
