CVE-2025-22230 Overview
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.
Critical Impact
This vulnerability allows unauthorized elevation of privileges within a virtual machine, posing significant security risks.
Affected Products
- VMware Tools for Windows (specific versions not provided)
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-03-25T14:15:28.440 - CVE-2025-22230 published to NVD
- 2025-03-27T16:45:46.410 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-22230
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability arises from improper access control within VMware Tools for Windows, allowing an actor with non-administrative access to execute higher-privilege operations within the virtual machine environment.
Root Cause
The root cause is linked to inadequate security checks in permission validation logic, leading to an authentication bypass scenario.
Attack Vector
Local
# Example exploitation code (sanitized)
# Note: This is for educational purposes only.
vmrun -T ws start "C:\Path\to\VM.vmx"
vulnerable_tool.exe --bypass-auth
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-22230
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected privilege escalations
- Log entries showing unusual access patterns
- Execution of high-privilege operations from non-administrative users
Detection Strategies
Deploy host-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for unauthorized privilege escalation activities and abnormal process executions.
Monitoring Recommendations
Regularly review security logs for anomalies and configure alerting for suspicious activities, specifically for non-admin users performing privileged operations.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-22230
Immediate Actions Required
- Limit user permissions to only necessary access
- Regularly audit user activities and permissions
- Implement strong access control measures
Patch Information
Refer to VMware's official advisories and apply security patches as they become available: Broadcom Support Advisory
Workarounds
Consider using group policies to enforce additional security checks and restrict unauthorized privilege level changes.
# Configuration example
# Hardening script for permissions
Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned
AuditPol.exe /set /subcategory:"User Account Management" /success:enable /failure:enable
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
