Attention all VMware users using VMware for your servers or VMs: the government just provided a new security recommendation about a vulnerability in VMware Tools - and yes, it was tied to Chinese hackers who exploited this vulnerability. So, this is more than a theoretical issue.
A little bit concerning? Sure.
If we continue the analogy, someone with bachelor's degree should have access to the bathroom. But somehow they do have keys to the entire house, safe, and car. That is what this issue enables.
"Fix this immediately." Government organizations need to apply the patch before November 20, 2025. And they advised everyone else to update, not only the government.
CISA even stated:
If you cannot patch immediately, do not use the software until you can.
When the government says that, you know it is serious.
In my view, it's always better to apply a patch early than deal with the panic from a big bug later. Seriously, apply a quick update now, so you don't have to deal with a headache later.
A little bit concerning? Sure.
What Is The Flaw?
There is a flaw in VMware Tools (and some VMware Aria solutions) that allows an already slightly-compromised access to a virtual machine to escalate control to 'root access'.If we continue the analogy, someone with bachelor's degree should have access to the bathroom. But somehow they do have keys to the entire house, safe, and car. That is what this issue enables.
Who Is Behind The Attacks?
A state-sponsored hacking organization affiliated with the Chinese government originally identified this bug and began utilizing the bug to compromise:- US government-related networks
- Defense contractors
- Government solutions in other countries
- Large organizations in Asia
What Did CISA Say?
CISA, the U.S. government agency that monitors cybersecurity, essentially stated:"Fix this immediately." Government organizations need to apply the patch before November 20, 2025. And they advised everyone else to update, not only the government.
CISA even stated:
If you cannot patch immediately, do not use the software until you can.
When the government says that, you know it is serious.
What You Should Do Now
If you use or manage VMware Tools or VMware Aria, here's what you should do:- Update / patch VMware Tools to the latest version
- Check who has access to your VMs - remove access that you don't need
- If you cannot patch now, disable or remove the vulnerable software
My Simple Opinion
To be frank, I dislike when bugs like this are reported, especially if they affect commonly used products. But that's tech — things break, and we fix bugs.In my view, it's always better to apply a patch early than deal with the panic from a big bug later. Seriously, apply a quick update now, so you don't have to deal with a headache later.