Key points
- VMware customers with old licenses can’t get security patches, raising major safety concerns.
- Broadcom, which now owns VMware, stopped support for some users — even if they paid for the software before.
- A Dutch court forced Broadcom to keep helping a government agency, creating a major legal precedent.
Some VMware customers are having trouble getting important security updates. This is big news, especially for companies using Microsoft Windows Server or connected to Microsoft Azure systems. A recent report says that if you own an old VMware license without active support, you might be locked out of updates. That’s a big risk because hackers could use those gaps to attack systems.
VMware makes tools that help businesses run virtual machines — think of them as mini computers inside real ones. These are widely used in places like Microsoft Azure data centers and by companies using Windows Server. If the software behind them has flaws, and nobody gets the fix, it can lead to attacks, data leaks, or system failures.
The Register reported that Broadcom, the company that now owns VMware, changed its online support system. Now, only users with current support plans can download fixes. That leaves many longtime customers stuck, even though they legally bought their software years ago. Support teams told users they might have to wait up to 90 days for patches through other ways.
One expert said this move is dangerous because it changes what owning software really means. “You used to buy it once, keep it forever,” he said. “Now, it’s more like renting — and if your subscription ends, you lose access to key tools.”
This matters even more because VMware recently found critical bugs, some already being used by hackers. One affects ESXi, which Microsoft partners often use for cloud services. Two of those bugs were added to the U.S. government’s “Known Exploited Vulnerabilities” list.
There are bigger issues too. Since Broadcom bought VMware, it has pushed customers from one-time purchases (perpetual licenses) to subscription plans. Some users say the new prices are way too high.
Legal action is happening now. In the Netherlands, a court made Broadcom give support to a government agency that was switching away from VMware. The court said Broadcom had a “duty of care” to avoid breaking things during transitions. If not, they would face huge fines.
Big companies like Telefónica Germany and AT&T are already changing course. Some are switching to third-party support, while others are planning to stop using VMware products.
Even though Broadcom says most big customers are signing up for new deals, experts warn that IT leaders need to plan carefully. They suggest adding strong rules in contracts — like backup support or rights to extra time when vendors change terms.
For organizations running Windows or Azure setups, this situation shows why it’s smart to check how long you can depend on any one piece of software — and how easily updates can disappear if the rules change.
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