VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion Information Disclosure Vulnerability (CVE-2025-22226)

VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion contain an information disclosure vulnerability due to an out-of-bounds read in HGFS. Successful exploitation allows an attacker with administrative privileges to a virtual machine to leak memory from the vmx process.

Published Mar 4, 2025 · Updated May 29, 2026

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Why patchRisk explained in plain English

Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A local attacker, without authentication, can achieve full data confidentiality loss. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2025-03-25 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Out-of-bounds Read (CWE-125) vulnerability in VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion. Exploitation requires local access, low attack complexity, no authentication required, and no user interaction required.

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

●Virtualisation Administrators

●Infrastructure Team

●IT Security

●Running esxi: 7.0, 8.0; cloud foundation: -; fusion: 13.0.0 ≤ v < 13.6.3; telco cloud infrastructure: 2.2, 2.5, 2.7, 3.0; telco cloud platform: 2.0, 2.5, 2.7, 3.0, 4.0, 4.0.1, 5.0; workstation: 17.0 ≤ v < 17.6.3

Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

CISA added this CVE to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2025-03-04 based on evidence of active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies required to remediate by 2025-03-25.

How to patch

Get the fix

Apply the fixed package from your vendor. The advisory lists affected versions and the exact fixed build.

↗ VMware advisory

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Vendor Patch

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog — apply the vendor's security update as soon as possible.

CISA 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.