Insecure File Handling Vulnerability in VMware Tools

CVE-2025-22247

What is CVE-2025-22247?

CVE-2025-22247 refers to a vulnerability identified in VMware Tools, a suite of utilities that enhances the performance and management of virtual machines (VMs) running on VMware platforms. This specific vulnerability relates to insecure file handling, which allows an attacker with non-administrative privileges on a guest VM to manipulate local files, instigating insecure file operations within that environment. The ability to initiate such actions can lead to unintended consequences for system integrity and security, allowing for potential data leakage or unauthorized data modification. Given VMware's widespread use across enterprises for virtualization services, the implications of this vulnerability present significant risks to organizations relying on its infrastructure for their operations.

Potential impact of CVE-2025-22247

1. Data Integrity Risks: Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to alter or corrupt files on the VM, undermining the integrity of crucial data and possibly leading to further exploitation within the network.

2. Escalation of Privileges: While the attacker initially requires non-administrative access, the manipulation of file operations could potentially escalate privileges, granting unauthorized access to sensitive configurations or other critical components of the system.

3. Increased Attack Surface: The existence of this vulnerability expands the potential attack surface within an organization, allowing malicious actors a foothold into the virtual environment, which could be leveraged for lateral movement across the network or as a pathway for deploying malware or ransomware.

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