NSX: Weak Password Recovery Mechanism for Forgotten Password
CVE-2025-41251 is a high-severity weak password recovery mechanism for forgotten password vulnerability in NSX from VMware, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected NSX versions: VMware NSX - 9.x.x.x, 4.2.x, 4.1.x, 4.0.x; VMware NSX-T - 3.x; VMware Cloud Foundation (with NSX) - 5.x, 4.5.x. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.83% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 58% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of NSX you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| VMware | NSX | VMware NSX - 9.x.x.x, 4.2.x, 4.1.x, 4.0.x; VMware NSX-T - 3.x; VMware Cloud Foundation (with NSX) - 5.x, 4.5.x | Not stated |
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
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (vmware.com).
Official description
VMware NSX contains a weak password recovery mechanism vulnerability. An unauthenticated malicious actor may exploit this to enumerate valid usernames, potentially enabling brute-force attacks. Impact: Username enumeration → credential brute force risk. Attack Vector: Remote, unauthenticated. Severity: Important. CVSSv3: 8.1 (High). Acknowledgments: Reported by the National Security Agency. Affected Products:VMware NSX 9.x.x.x, 4.2.x, 4.1.x, 4.0.x NSX-T 3.x VMware Cloud Foundation (with NSX) 5.x, 4.5.x Fixed Versions: NSX 9.0.1.0; 4.2.2.2/4.2.3.1 http://4.2.2.2/4.2.3.1 ; 4.1.2.7; NSX-T 3.2.4.3; CCF async patch (KB88287). Workarounds: None.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Weak Password Recovery Mechanism for Forgotten Password
The product contains a mechanism for users to recover or change their passwords without knowing the original password, but the mechanism is weak.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Make sure that all input supplied by the user to the password recovery mechanism is thoroughly filtered and validated.
- Do not use standard weak security questions and use several security questions.
- Make sure that there is throttling on the number of incorrect answers to a security question. Disable the password recovery functionality after a certain (small) number of incorrect guesses.
More Weak Password Recovery Mechanism for Forgotten Password vulnerabilities (CWE-640)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in NSX
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Weak Password Recovery Mechanism for Forgotten Password vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.9 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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