Host code execution via VMCI integer underflow
Published Jul 15, 2025 · Updated Feb 26, 2026
An out-of-bounds write in VMCI in VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion allows local users with guest admin rights to execute VMX code. Broadcom states that a VMCI integer underflow produces the write, but no affected function or operand has been publicly identified. Exploitation requires local administrative control of a guest; ESXi confines execution to the VMX sandbox, while desktop products expose the host.
Summary
What happened
An out-of-bounds write in VMCI in VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion allows local users with guest admin rights to execute VMX code. Broadcom states that a VMCI integer underflow produces the write, but no affected function or operand has been publicly identified. Exploitation requires local administrative control of a guest; ESXi confines execution to the VMX sandbox, while desktop products expose the host.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-41237
- Published
- Jul 15, 2025
- Updated
- Feb 26, 2026
- Vendor
- VMware
- Product
- VMware Workstation
- Classifications
- CWE-787, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- admin
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jul 15, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Feb 26, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=17.x <17.6.4
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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