VMware vCenter Server Command Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2025-41225)

Overview

Recently, NSFOCUS CERT detected that VMware issued a security bulletin to fix the command execution vulnerability (CVE-2025-41225) of VMware vCenter Server; Due to an authenticated command execution vulnerability in VMware vCenter Server, an attacker with permissions to create or modify alerts and run scripts can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on the target vCenter Server. CVSS score 8.8, please take measures to protect yourself as soon as possible.

Reference link: https://support.broadcom.com/web/ecx/support-content-notification/-/external/content/SecurityAdvisories/0/25717

Scope of Impact

Affected version

• vCenter Server 8.0 < 8.0 U3e
• vCenter Server 7.0 < 7.0 U3v
• VMware Cloud Foundation (vCenter) = 5.x
• VMware Cloud Foundation (vCenter) = 4.5.x
• VMware Telco Cloud Platform (vCenter) 5.x/4.x/3.x/2.x < 8.0 U3e
• VMware Telco Cloud Infrastructure (vCenter) 3.x < 8.0 U3e
• VMware Telco Cloud Infrastructure (vCenter) 2.x < 7.0 U3v

Unaffected version

• vCenter Server 8.0 >= 8.0 U3e
• vCenter Server 7.0 >= 7.0 U3v
• VMware Telco Cloud Platform (vCenter) 5.x/4.x/3.x/2.x >= 8.0 U3e
• VMware Telco Cloud Infrastructure (vCenter) 3.x >= 8.0 U3e
• VMware Telco Cloud Infrastructure (vCenter) 2.x >= 7.0 U3v

Exposed Surface Investigation

Cloud detection

NSFOCUS’s External Attack Surface Management Service (EASM) supports Internet asset investigation of CVE-2025-41225 vulnerability risks. It has helped service customer groups complete exposure surface investigations and conduct vulnerability warnings and closed-loop disposal in a timely manner before threats occur. Interested customers can arrange detailed consultation and communication by contacting their local regional colleagues at NSFOCUS or sending an email to rs@nsfocus.com.

Tool troubleshooting

NSFOCUS Automated Penetration Testing Tool (EZ) supports fingerprint recognition and troubleshooting of VMware vCenter Server. Users can directly use the web module for scanning and detection:

Tool download link: https://github.com/m-sec-org/EZ/releases

New users please register for the M-SEC community (https://msec.nsfocus.com) to apply for a certificate.

Mitigation

Official upgrade

The official update has been released to fix the above vulnerabilities. It is recommended that affected users install it in time for protection:

Statement

This advisory is only used to describe a potential risk. NSFOCUS does not provide any commitment or promise on this advisory. NSFOCUS and the author will not bear any liability for any direct and/or indirect consequences and losses caused by transmitting and/or using this advisory. NSFOCUS reserves all the rights to modify and interpret this advisory. Please include this statement paragraph when reproducing or transferring this advisory. Do not modify this advisory, add/delete any information to/from it, or use this advisory for commercial purposes without permission from NSFOCUS.

About NSFOCUS

NSFOCUS, a pioneering leader in cybersecurity, is dedicated to safeguarding telecommunications, Internet service providers, hosting providers, and enterprises from sophisticated cyberattacks.

Founded in 2000, NSFOCUS operates globally with over 4000 employees at two headquarters in Beijing, China, and Santa Clara, CA, USA, and over 50 offices worldwide. It has a proven track record of protecting over 25% of the Fortune Global 500 companies, including four of the five largest banks and six of the world’s top ten telecommunications companies.

Leveraging technical prowess and innovation, NSFOCUS delivers a comprehensive suite of security solutions, including the Intelligent Security Operations Platform (ISOP) for modern SOC, DDoS Protection, Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) Service and Web Application and API Protection (WAAP). All the solutions and services are augmented by the Security Large Language Model (SecLLM), ML, patented algorithms and other cutting-edge research achievements developed by NSFOCUS.