CVE-2025-41238: CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write in VMware ESXi
CVE-2025-41238 is a critical heap-overflow vulnerability in the PVSCSI controller of VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion. It allows a local attacker with administrative privileges on a virtual machine to perform an out-of-bounds write, potentially leading to code execution. On ESXi, exploitation is limited to unsupported configurations and contained within the VMX sandbox. On Workstation and Fusion, successful exploitation may result in code execution on the host machine. The vulnerability affects VMware ESXi versions 7.0 and 8.0. No known exploits are reported in the wild, and no patch information is currently available.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability (CVE-2025-41238) involves a heap-overflow in the Paravirtualized SCSI (PVSCSI) controller used by VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion. The flaw allows an out-of-bounds write, which can be exploited by a local attacker with administrative privileges on a guest virtual machine to execute arbitrary code as the VMX process on the host. The impact on ESXi is mitigated by sandboxing and limited to unsupported configurations, whereas on Workstation and Fusion, the attacker may gain code execution on the host OS. The CVSS v3.1 score is 9.3, indicating critical severity with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. The vulnerability affects ESXi versions 7.0 and 8.0. No official patch or remediation details have been provided yet.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution on the host system running VMware Workstation or Fusion, or within the VMX process sandbox on ESXi under unsupported configurations. This compromises the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the host environment. The vulnerability requires local administrative access on the guest VM to exploit.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, avoid unsupported ESXi configurations that increase exposure. Limit administrative access to guest VMs to trusted users only. Monitor VMware advisories for updates and apply patches promptly once available.
CVE-2025-41238: CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write in VMware ESXi
Description
CVE-2025-41238 is a critical heap-overflow vulnerability in the PVSCSI controller of VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion. It allows a local attacker with administrative privileges on a virtual machine to perform an out-of-bounds write, potentially leading to code execution. On ESXi, exploitation is limited to unsupported configurations and contained within the VMX sandbox. On Workstation and Fusion, successful exploitation may result in code execution on the host machine. The vulnerability affects VMware ESXi versions 7.0 and 8.0. No known exploits are reported in the wild, and no patch information is currently available.
CVSS v3.1
Score 9.3critical
Affected software
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability (CVE-2025-41238) involves a heap-overflow in the Paravirtualized SCSI (PVSCSI) controller used by VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion. The flaw allows an out-of-bounds write, which can be exploited by a local attacker with administrative privileges on a guest virtual machine to execute arbitrary code as the VMX process on the host. The impact on ESXi is mitigated by sandboxing and limited to unsupported configurations, whereas on Workstation and Fusion, the attacker may gain code execution on the host OS. The CVSS v3.1 score is 9.3, indicating critical severity with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. The vulnerability affects ESXi versions 7.0 and 8.0. No official patch or remediation details have been provided yet.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution on the host system running VMware Workstation or Fusion, or within the VMX process sandbox on ESXi under unsupported configurations. This compromises the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the host environment. The vulnerability requires local administrative access on the guest VM to exploit.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, avoid unsupported ESXi configurations that increase exposure. Limit administrative access to guest VMs to trusted users only. Monitor VMware advisories for updates and apply patches promptly once available.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.1
- Assigner Short Name
- vmware
- Date Reserved
- 2025-04-16T09:30:17.798Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6876a1f4a83201eaaccfe706
Added to database: 07/15/2025, 18:46:12 UTC
Last enriched: 05/26/2026, 20:20:49 UTC
Last updated: 09/10/2026, 19:36:50 UTC
Views: 428
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