Overview
CVE-2025-22249 is a serious security vulnerability found within VMware Aria automation. This vulnerability is a DOM-based Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) flaw, which could place any entity using the affected versions of the software at risk. Cyber attackers could exploit this flaw to steal access tokens of logged-in users, potentially leading to system compromise and data leakage. Given the widespread adoption of VMware Aria in enterprise environments, this vulnerability could have far-reaching implications if left unaddressed.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-22249
Severity: High, CVSS score of 8.2
Attack Vector: Web-based (DOM-based XSS)
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required (User must click on a maliciously crafted payload URL)
Impact: System Compromise and Potential Data Leakage
Affected Products
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Product | Affected Versions
VMware Aria Automation | All versions prior to the patched release
How the Exploit Works
A malicious actor begins by crafting a malicious payload URL that contains embedded JavaScript. This JavaScript is designed to execute within the user’s browser (DOM) when clicked, hence the term “DOM-based XSS.”
When an unsuspecting user clicks on this malicious URL while logged into the VMware Aria automation appliance, the embedded script executes and steals the user’s access token. This access token can then be used by the attacker to impersonate the user, potentially leading to unauthorized actions, system compromise, and data leakage.
Conceptual Example Code
Here’s a conceptual example of how such a malicious payload URL might look:
GET /?payload=<script>evilFunction(document.cookie)</script> HTTP/1.1
Host: vulnerable-vmware-aria.example.comIn this example, `evilFunction` is a function controlled by the attacker that sends the user’s cookies (which contains the access token) back to the attacker’s server.
Please note that this is a simplified representation of the exploit process and the actual code used by attackers might be far more complex and obfuscated to bypass security controls.