On 2025-03-04, CISA added CVE-2025-22225 (VMware ESXi) to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog [2]. The vulnerability is listed in the catalog as "VMware ESXi Arbitrary Write Vulnerability" [2]. CISA requires remediation in accordance with vendor mitigation instructions; see the original text in the body for specific requirements [2].
Backfill: this event became public on Mar 4, 2025 and we added it on Nov 10, 2026. It is not a new event.
CISA Adds VMware ESXi Vulnerability CVE-2025-22225 to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
1 min read
- Disclosed
- Mar 4, 2025
- Published
- Nov 10, 2026
- Last updated
- Nov 8, 2026
- CVSS basis
- Our assessment
- 1%, higher than 64% of CVEs
- Exploitation and patch status
- ExploitedKEV
- Attack vector
- Vulnerability status
- Actor type
- Motivation
On this page
30-second summary
What happened
Who is affected
Industries mainly affected: Government, Cross-industry
What to do nowOur advice
CISA requires remediation in accordance with vendor mitigation instructions; see the original text in the body for specific requirements [2]
Timeline
Technical details
CISA KEV Listing Record
On 2025-03-04, CISA added CVE-2025-22225 to the catalog for VMware ESXi [2].
Original Technical Description
VMware ESXi contains an arbitrary write vulnerability. Successful exploitation allows an attacker with privileges within the VMX process to trigger an arbitrary kernel write leading to an escape of the sandbox. [2]
Official Requirements
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. [2]
Individual Vulnerability Record
The U.S. National Vulnerability Database (NVD) provides an independent vulnerability record and description for CVE-2025-22225. [1]
References
Official / primary3
- [1]
“VMware ESXi contains an arbitrary write vulnerability. A malicious actor with privileges within the VMX process may trigger an arbitrary kernel write leading to an escape of the sandbox.”
- [2]
This site aggregates public information and is not security consulting advice. Test remediation steps before applying.