Authentication bypass in VMware Tools
Priority LOW 36CWE-288Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-288.
Summary
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.
Why it matters now
Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00353 29th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed VMware Tools: 12.5.1
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | VMware Tools | 12.x.x, 11.x.x to before 12.5.1 | 12.5.1 | Patch available | CNA |
- VMware Tools Vendor— Affected 12.x.x, 11.x.x to before 12.5.1 Fixed in 12.5.1 Patch available CNA
Remediation
- Fix · CNA VMware Tools Fixed in 12.5.1
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2025-22230
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-h5xv-5cpx-pf45
References
Sources
- CVE-2025-22230 · CVE Program
- CVE-2025-22230 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-h5xv-5cpx-pf45 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences