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CVE-2021-22005

VMware vCenter Server File Upload

9.8 CRITICALActively exploited (CISA KEV)Used in ransomwarePublic exploitEPSS 100.0%
  1. Published23 Sept 2021
  2. Added to CISA KEV3 Nov 2021
  3. Remediation due17 Nov 2021
Actively exploited (CISA KEV)

VMware vCenter Server contains a file upload vulnerability in the Analytics service that allows a user with network access to port 443 to execute code.

Added to KEV: 3 Nov 2021Federal remediation due: 17 Nov 2021Used in ransomware

Description

The vCenter Server contains an arbitrary file upload vulnerability in the Analytics service. A malicious actor with network access to port 443 on vCenter Server may exploit this issue to execute code on vCenter Server by uploading a specially crafted file.

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorNetwork
Attack complexityLow
Privileges requiredNone
User interactionNone
ScopeUnchanged
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

VMware Cloud Foundation≥ 3.0 < 5.0
VMware Vcenter Server6.5 · 6.7 · 7.0

Remediation

Fixed in
VMware Cloud Foundation≥ 5.0

Frequently asked

Is CVE-2021-22005 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2021-22005 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 3 Nov 2021. It has been used in ransomware campaigns.

How severe is CVE-2021-22005?

CVE-2021-22005 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8, rated critical. EPSS estimates a 100.0% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2021-22005?

Affected products include VMware Cloud Foundation, VMware Vcenter Server.

How do I fix CVE-2021-22005?

Upgrade affected software to a fixed version, for example VMware Cloud Foundation 5.0 or later, then confirm no affected versions remain in your inventory.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-22005 against the real software inventory on every managed device, every day. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. Because it is on the CISA KEV list, Secuno flags any affected asset as top-priority automatically. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

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Data from the NVD, CISA KEV catalog and FIRST EPSS. CVSS 3.1 base score shown where available.