CVE-2026-22715 is a vulnerability identified in VMware Workstation and Fusion version 17.0, stemming from a logic flaw in the way network packets are managed between guest virtual machines (VMs). Specifically, the flaw allows a malicious actor who has already obtained administrative privileges on one guest VM to interfere with or intercept network traffic of other guest VMs running on the same physical host. This vulnerability arises because the network packet management does not properly isolate network connections between guest VMs, enabling cross-VM network interference. The attack vector requires local access with administrative privileges on a guest VM, making the attack complexity high. There is no requirement for user interaction, and the vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of network communications but does not compromise confidentiality directly. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.9, reflecting a medium severity level. VMware has addressed this issue in Workstation and Fusion version 25H2U1, and users are advised to upgrade to this version to mitigate the risk. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the potential for lateral movement and network disruption within virtualized environments poses a significant risk to organizations relying on these products for virtualization.

The primary impact of CVE-2026-22715 is on the integrity and availability of network communications between guest VMs hosted on the same physical machine. An attacker with administrative access to one guest VM can disrupt or intercept network traffic of other guest VMs, potentially leading to denial of service or manipulation of network data flows. This can undermine the isolation guarantees typically expected in virtualized environments, increasing the risk of lateral movement and internal attacks within an organization's infrastructure. Organizations relying heavily on VMware Workstation or Fusion for development, testing, or production virtualization may face operational disruptions and increased risk of internal compromise. Although confidentiality is not directly affected, the ability to interfere with network traffic can facilitate further attacks or data manipulation. The requirement for administrative privileges on a guest VM limits the scope to insiders or attackers who have already compromised a VM, but the vulnerability still represents a significant risk in multi-tenant or shared environments.

To mitigate CVE-2026-22715, organizations should immediately upgrade VMware Workstation and Fusion to version 25H2U1 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed. Additionally, organizations should enforce strict access controls and monitoring to prevent unauthorized administrative access to guest VMs. Employing network segmentation and isolation techniques within virtual environments can reduce the risk of cross-VM interference. Regularly auditing VM configurations and network settings can help detect anomalies indicative of exploitation attempts. Limiting the number of users with administrative privileges on guest VMs and implementing strong authentication mechanisms will reduce the attack surface. Finally, organizations should maintain up-to-date vulnerability management processes and monitor VMware security advisories for any emerging threats related to this vulnerability.