CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2025-41250NVD status: Deferred

vCenter: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2025-41250 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in a command vulnerability in vCenter from VMware, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 8.0 U3g, 7.0 U3w as the first without the flaw, so updating vCenter to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.69% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 53% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update vCenter to 8.0 U3g or 7.0 U3w, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  2. Update Cloud Foundation to 9.0.1.0 or 5.2.2, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  3. Update vSphere Foundation to 9.0.1.0 or a later version.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
VMwarevCenter8.0 up to, but not including, 8.0 U3g; 7.0 up to, but not including, 7.0 U3w8.0 U3g, 7.0 U3w
VMwareCloud Foundation9.x.x.x up to, but not including, 9.0.1.0; 5.x up to, but not including, 5.2.2; 4.5.x9.0.1.0, 5.2.2
VMwareTelco Cloud Platform5.x, 4.x, 3.x, 2.xNot stated
VMwareTelco Cloud Infrastructure3.x, 2.xNot stated
VMwarevSphere Foundation9.x.x.x up to, but not including, 9.0.1.09.0.1.0

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
Confidentiality
NoneNo data is disclosed.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
LowPerformance or availability is reduced.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:L. Scored by CNA (vmware.com).

Official description

VMware vCenter contains an SMTP header injection vulnerability. A malicious actor with non-administrative privileges on vCenter who has permission to create scheduled tasks may be able to manipulate the notification emails sent for scheduled tasks.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command

The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
  • If possible, ensure that all external commands called from the program are statically created.
  • Run time: Run time policy enforcement may be used in an allowlist fashion to prevent use of any non-sanctioned commands.

More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities (CWE-77)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in vCenter

All vCenter vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities

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