CVE-2025-22217 is an unauthenticated blind SQL Injection vulnerability identified in VMware AVI Load Balancer versions 30.1.x and 30.2.x. The vulnerability arises due to improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands (CWE-89), allowing an attacker with network access to inject malicious SQL queries directly into the backend database. Being unauthenticated means no credentials are required, and no user interaction is necessary, making exploitation relatively straightforward for an attacker who can reach the vulnerable service. The vulnerability is classified as blind SQL Injection, indicating that the attacker may not receive direct query results but can infer data through side effects or timing attacks. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.6 (high), reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, and a scope change with high confidentiality impact but no impact on integrity or availability. Although no public exploits are known at this time, the potential for data leakage is significant, especially in environments where the load balancer manages sensitive application traffic. VMware has released patches to address this issue, emphasizing the need for immediate remediation. The vulnerability was privately reported and reserved in early January 2025, with public disclosure in late January 2025.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-22217 is unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored in the backend database of VMware AVI Load Balancer deployments. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can extract confidential data, potentially including configuration details, credentials, or traffic metadata, which can facilitate further attacks or data breaches. Although the vulnerability does not directly affect data integrity or system availability, the confidentiality breach alone can have severe consequences, including regulatory non-compliance, reputational damage, and operational risks. Organizations relying on VMware AVI Load Balancer for critical application delivery may face increased risk of targeted attacks, especially if the load balancer is exposed to untrusted networks. The unauthenticated nature and low complexity of exploitation increase the likelihood of attack attempts once the vulnerability becomes widely known. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently limits immediate risk but does not preclude future exploitation.

To mitigate CVE-2025-22217, organizations should promptly apply the official patches released by VMware for AVI Load Balancer versions 30.1.x and 30.2.x. Until patching is complete, network-level controls should be implemented to restrict access to the load balancer management interfaces and APIs, limiting exposure to trusted internal networks only. Deploy web application firewalls (WAFs) or intrusion prevention systems (IPS) with rules designed to detect and block SQL Injection patterns targeting the load balancer. Conduct thorough logging and monitoring of database queries and network traffic to identify anomalous or suspicious activity indicative of exploitation attempts. Review and harden database permissions to minimize the impact of any successful injection. Additionally, perform regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on the load balancer environment to detect similar vulnerabilities. Maintain an incident response plan tailored to SQL Injection attacks to enable rapid containment and remediation if exploitation occurs.