VMware Tools up to 12.5.0 on Windows authentication bypass

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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7.6$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability marked as critical has been reported in VMware Tools up to 12.5.0 on Windows. This vulnerability affects unknown code. This manipulation causes authentication bypass. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2025-22230. The attack can only be executed locally. There is no exploit available. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in VMware Tools up to 12.5.0 on Windows. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown code. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a authentication bypass vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-288. A product requires authentication, but the product has an alternate path or channel that does not require authentication. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

VMware Tools for Windows contains an authentication bypass vulnerability due to improper access control. A malicious actor with non-administrative privileges on a guest VM may gain ability to perform certain high privilege operations within that VM.

The advisory is shared at support.broadcom.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2025-22230 since 01/02/2025. The exploitation appears to be easy. An attack has to be approached locally. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 233416 (VMware Tools 11.x / 12.x < 12.5.1 Authentication Bypass (VMSA-2025-0005)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 12.5.1 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (233416). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.6

VulDB Base Score: 7.8
VulDB Temp Score: 7.5
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 7.8
CNA Vector (vmware): 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Authentication bypass
CWE: CWE-288 / CWE-287
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 233416
Nessus Name: VMware Tools 11.x / 12.x < 12.5.1 Authentication Bypass (VMSA-2025-0005)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: Tools 12.5.1

Timelineinfo

01/02/2025 🔍
03/25/2025 +82 days 🔍
03/25/2025 +0 days 🔍
03/27/2025 +2 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: vmware.com

Advisory: support.broadcom.com
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-22230 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-22230
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-301249
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20060413

Entryinfo

Created: 03/25/2025 15:29
Updated: 03/27/2025 18:44
Changes: 03/25/2025 15:29 (64), 03/27/2025 18:44 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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