Critical severity · published Jul 15, 2025
CVE-2025-41236
VMXNET3 integer-overflow vulnerability
9.3
CVSS
2.6%
EPSS
No
On KEV
Description
VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion contain an integer-overflow vulnerability in the VMXNET3 virtual network adapter. A malicious actor with local administrative privileges on a virtual machine with VMXNET3 virtual network adapter may exploit this issue to execute code on the host. Non VMXNET3 virtual adapters are not affected by this issue.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack vector
Local
Complexity
Low
Privileges
None
User interaction
None
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Scope
Changed
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)2.6% · higher than 85% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo evidence yet
CISA KEVNot listed
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
ES
ESXi · VMware
8.0 before ESXi80U3f-24784735; 8.0 before ESXi80U2e-24789317; 7.0 before ESXi70U3w-24784741 · source: vendor
CF
Cloud Foundation · VMware
5.x, 4.5.x · source: vendor
FU
Fusion · VMware
13.x through 13.6.4 · source: vendor
TC
Telco Cloud Infrastructure · VMware
3.x, 2.x · source: vendor
TC
Telco Cloud Platform · VMware
5.x, 4.x, 3.x, 2.x · source: vendor
WO
Workstation · VMware
17.x before 17.6.4 · source: vendor
In the news
VulnerabilityHigh
ZDI-26-189: (Pwn2Own) VMware ESXi VMXNET3 Integer Overflow Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of VMware ESXi. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute high-privileged code on the target guest system in order to exploit this vulnerability. The ZDI has assigned a CVSS rating of 8.2. The following CVEs are assigned: CVE-2025-41236.
Mar 16, 2026·Zero Day Initiative
References
NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-41236
CVE.org
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-41236
support.broadcom.com
https://support.broadcom.com/web/ecx/support-content-notification/-/external/content/SecurityAdvisories/0/35877
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