Critical Open VM Tools flaw (CVE-2025-22247) in Ubuntu 18.04/16.04 LTS allows privilege escalation via file overwrites. Learn patch steps, Ubuntu Pro requirements, and VMware hardening tactics to protect cloud/on-prem workloads.
Severity: High Risk – Privilege Escalation Threat
A critical vulnerability (CVE-2025-22247) in Open VM Tools (v11.0.5/v10.2.0) exposes Ubuntu 18.04 LTS and 16.04 LTS systems to malicious file overwrites by guest attackers, potentially leading to admin-level privilege escalation.
This flaw, patched in USN-7508-2, underscores the importance of proactive Linux server maintenance for enterprises leveraging VMware virtualization.
Why This Vulnerability Demands Immediate Action
Open VM Tools, the open-source counterpart to VMware Tools, facilitates seamless interaction between virtual machines and hypervisors. The exploit allows:
Arbitrary file overwrites with elevated permissions
Guest-to-host privilege escalation in unpatched systems
Compromise of sensitive data in multi-tenant cloud environments
Affected Systems:
Ubuntu 18.04 LTS (ESM-only updates)
Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (ESM-only updates)
Patch Instructions: Secure Your System Now
To mitigate risks, update to these Ubuntu Pro-supported versions:
| Release | Package Version | Update Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 18.04 | open-vm-tools 2:11.0.5-4ubuntu0.18.04.3+esm4 | Ubuntu Pro |
| Ubuntu 16.04 | open-vm-tools 2:10.2.0-3~ubuntu0.16.04.1+esm5 | Ubuntu Pro |
Steps:
Run
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade open-vm-toolsValidate fixes with
vmware-toolbox-cmd -vEnterprise Tip: Enforce automated patch management via Landscape or Ansible.
Technical Deep Dive: How the Exploit Works
The vulnerability stems from insecure file operation handling in Open VM Tools’ guest-to-host RPC mechanisms. Attackers can:
Bypass permission checks via crafted symlinks
Overwrite critical system files (e.g.,
/etc/passwd)Pivot to host-level access in misconfigured environments
Mitigation Beyond Patching:
Restrict VMware shared folders to read-only
Audit /etc/vmware-tools/scripts for tampering
Monitor /var/log/vmware-vmsvc.log for anomalies
FAQs: Ubuntu VM Security Best Practices
Q: Is Ubuntu Pro mandatory for fixes?
A: Yes—ESM (Extended Security Maintenance) updates for 16.04/18.04 require Ubuntu Pro subscriptions ($25/year for personal use).
Q: Are cloud instances affected?
A: AWS, Azure, and GCP mitigate hypervisor-level risks, but guest OS patches remain critical.
Q: How does this compare to CVE-2023-20867?
A: Both involve file operation flaws, but CVE-2025-22247 has higher exploitability in multi-user environments.
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