CVE-2025-22247

VMware Tools contains an insecure file handling vulnerability. A malicious actor with non-administrative privileges on a guest VM may tamper the local files to trigger insecure file operations within that VM.

Weakness

The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource.

Affected Software

Potential Mitigations

• Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to entities in a software system.
• Denying access to a file can prevent an attacker from replacing that file with a link to a sensitive file. Ensure good compartmentalization in the system to provide protected areas that can be trusted.

Related Attack Patterns

• https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/132.html
• https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/17.html
• https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/35.html
• https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/76.html

References

• https://support.broadcom.com/web/ecx/support-content-notification/-/external/content/SecurityAdvisories/0/25683
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/05/12/2
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/05/13/2
• https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/05/msg00017.html