SMTP Header Injection Vulnerability in VMware vCenter

CVE-2025-41250

What is CVE-2025-41250?

CVE-2025-41250 is a vulnerability in VMware vCenter, a platform widely used for managing virtualized environments and infrastructures. This vulnerability pertains to an SMTP header injection issue that arises when non-administrative users, who have the necessary permissions to create scheduled tasks, can exploit this weakness to manipulate the content of notification emails generated by those tasks. Such an exploitation could allow attackers to inject malicious code or manipulate email content, thereby potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of communications from vCenter. This poses significant risks for organizations relying on VMware vCenter for their operations, as it could facilitate phishing attacks or other manipulation of system notifications.

Potential impact of CVE-2025-41250

1. Manipulation of Notifications: Attackers could alter email notifications pertaining to scheduled tasks, leading to misinformation or unapproved actions executed in the system. This risk undermines the trustworthiness of operational communications.

2. Unauthorized Actions: The vulnerability allows users with limited permissions to effectively escalate their capabilities, which might enable the execution of unauthorized tasks that could disrupt business operations or lead to data exposure.

3. Increased Phishing Risks: By modifying email content, attackers could create tailored phishing messages that might trick legitimate users into revealing sensitive information or credentials, significantly amplifying the potential for further security breaches.

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