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Full vulnerability report · 2021
CVE-2021-22005High confidence

VMware vCenter Server File Upload Vulnerability

VMware · vCenter Server

9.8CriticalCVSS 3.1
Recommended action
Patch now

CISA confirms exploitation in the wild and lists 2021-11-17 as the remediation due date.

Patch available
R
Operational reassessment

Published severity in operational context

Open reassessment dashboard →
Published severityCriticalOperational priority:Critical, unchanged from published severity.unchanged

Evidence used

  • CISA confirms exploitation in the wild.
  • A structured source references public exploit or proof-of-concept material.
  • The selected CVSS metric records a network-reachable, unauthenticated path with no user interaction.
  • EPSS is 100.00% for the current model date.

Compensating controls

  • Validate the affected product branch and deploy the verified fixed release.
  • Restrict the affected network interface to trusted sources where business-safe.
  • Increase monitoring for the attack path and post-exploitation behaviour described in the report.

Verification

  1. Confirm that the asset runs VMware vCenter Server and falls inside the recorded affected range.
  2. Verify the installed build against the product-specific fixed version after deployment.
  3. Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
  4. Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Mitigation target: Within 3 daysRemediation target: Within 90 days

This automated reassessment organises public evidence. It does not know asset exposure, business impact or control effectiveness and does not replace CVSS or a human risk decision.

Optional official sources

National CERT insights
?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.

Choose official national sources for this report. Each advisory shows its original language. Your selection is remembered on this device and included in shared links.

Official European source

ENISA European Vulnerability Database

Official EUVD identifiers, advisory evidence and known-exploited context. Missing fields are not treated as evidence of low risk.

1 current
ENISA EUVD identifier

EUVD-2021-9174

CISA KEV mirrored by ENISA

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.

EUVD state
Present in the current official mapping
Known exploitation
Recorded by ENISA since 3 Nov 2021. Evidence sources: cisa_kev.
ENISA score
9.8 · CVSS 3.1
Advisory evidence
No linked advisory details stored yet
Recommended actionPatch now

CISA confirms exploitation in the wild and lists 2021-11-17 as the remediation due date.

Patch available
01

What, why and how

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.

What

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.

Why

Attacker-controlled path data is not constrained to the intended directory before the application accesses a file.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may execute code or commands in the affected security context.

What

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.

Why

Attacker-controlled path data is not constrained to the intended directory before the application accesses a file.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may execute code or commands in the affected security context.

02

Exploit reality and attack path

CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.

Observed exploitation
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
Confirmed in the wild

CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on 2021-11-03. Known ransomware campaign use is recorded.

Public PoC / exploit material
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
Reference recorded

A structured CVE source labels at least one public reference as exploit material. BlackTree has not independently validated that it is safe, reliable or weaponised.

Likely attack path
a network path → Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') → execute code or commands in the affected security context
Attack surface
Network
Privileges required
None: unauthenticated exploitation is possible
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low: no specialised conditions are recorded
Security boundary
Unchanged: impact remains within the vulnerable component's security authority
Weakness
?CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness.
CWE-22 ↗

CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal'). The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.

CVSS vector
?CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Common Vulnerability Scoring System 3.1: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.

AVNetworkAttack vector: The vulnerable component can be reached over a network.ACLowAttack complexity: No specialised conditions are required beyond attacker-controlled input.PRNonePrivileges required: The attacker does not need an account or existing privileges.UINoneUser interaction: No action by another user is required.SUnchangedScope: The security impact remains within the vulnerable component's authority.CHighConfidentiality impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.IHighIntegrity impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.AHighAvailability impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.
Post-exploitation / living off the land
After compromise, an attacker may use built-in shells, scripting engines, scheduled tasks and native network utilities for discovery, persistence or movement. This is a plausible LoTL path, not evidence that it has occurred for every attack.
NetworkUnauthenticatedRemote code executionCWE-22CISA KEVPublic exploit reference
A

Official authority intelligence

Only matched European and national findings are included. Language selectors and unavailable sources are omitted.

ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2021-9174Known-exploited evidence recorded

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.

Official EUVD record ↗
Cyber Security Agency of Singapore · English · CSA-SB-20210929Security Bulletin 29 Sep 2021

The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore included this CVE in its official Security Bulletin 29 Sep 2021, published on 29 September 2021. Open the linked bulletin for the product, severity and reference information published in that issue.

Official advisory ↗
CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2021-AVI-724Multiples vulnérabilités dans les produits VMware

De multiples vulnérabilités ont été découvertes dans les produits VMware. Certaines d'entre elles permettent à un attaquant de provoquer une exécution de code arbitraire à distance, un déni de service à distance et une atteinte à l'intégrité des données.

Official advisory ↗
JVN iPedia · Japanese · JVNDB-2021-012015vCenter Server における危険なタイプのファイルの無制限アップロードに関する脆弱性

vCenter Server には、危険なタイプのファイルの無制限アップロードに関する脆弱性が存在します。

Official advisory ↗
KISA KrCERT/CC · Korean · KNVD-5873최근 해킹 공격에 활용되는 취약점 보안 업데이트 권고

)[11] ㅇ BIG-IP, BIG-IQ의 iControl REST 인터페이스에서 발생하는 원격 코드 실행 취약점(CVE-2021-22986)[12] ㅇ Grafana 소프트웨어에서 경로탐색(Directory Traversal)으로 인해 발생하는 정보노출 취약점(CVE-2021-43798)[13] ㅇ Inspur ClusterEngine V4.0에서 발생하는 원격 코드 실행 취약점(CVE-2020-21224)[14] ㅇ Oracle WebLogic Server에서 발생하는 원격 코드 실행 취약점(CVE-2021-2109)[15] ㅇ SMBv3 프로토콜이 조작된 패킷을 처리할 때 버퍼오버플로우로 인해 발생하는 원격코드실행 취약점(CVE-2020-0796)[16] ㅇ Spring Cloud Gateway에서 발생하는 원격코드 실행 취약점(CVE-2022-22947)[17] ㅇ Spring Core에서 발생하는 원격코드실행 취약점(CVE-2022-22965)[18] ㅇ Spring Cloud Function에서 발생하는 원격코드실행 취약점(CVE-2022-22963)[18] ㅇ VMware vCenter Server 원격 코드 실행 취약점(CVE-2021-21972)[19] ㅇ VMware vCenter Server 에서 발생하는 파일 업로드 취약점(CVE-2021-22005)[20] ㅇ VMware Workspace ONE Access와 Identity Manager에서 발생하는 원격 코드 실행 취약점(CVE-2022-22954)[21] ㅇ WebLogic Server에서 안전하지 않은 역직렬화로 인해 발생하는 인증 우회 및 원격코드 실행 취약점(CVE-2019-2725)[22] ㅇ WSO2에서 발생하는 원격코드 실행 취약점(CVE-2022-29464)[23] ##### □ 해결 방안 o 취약점별 참고사이트[1]~[23]에 명시되어 있는 내용을 참조하여 업데이트 수행 ##### □ 기타 문의사항 o 한국인터넷진흥원 사이버민원센터: 국번없이 118 [참고사이트] [1] https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-45232 [2] https://boho.or.kr/data/secNoticeView.do?bulletin_writing_sequence=36279 [3] https://boho.or.kr/data/secNoticeView.do?bulletin_writing_sequence=36277 [4] https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2020-9496 [5] https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-

Official advisory ↗
KISA KrCERT/CC · Korean · KNVD-5400VMware vCenter 제품 보안 업데이트 권고

#### VMware vCenter 제품 보안 업데이트 권고 2021.09.23 ##### □ 개요 o VMware 社는 자사 제품에서 발생하는 취약점을 해결한 보안 업데이트 발표 o 영향받는 버전을 사용중인 이용자는 최신버전으로 업데이트 권고 ##### □ 설명 [1] o vCenter 서버에서 발생하는 파일 업로드 취약점(CVE-2021-22005) o vCenter 서버에서 세션 검증이 미흡하여 발생하는 권한상승 취약점(CVE-2021-21991) o vCenter 서버에서 URI에 대한 처리가 미흡하여 발생하는 보안기능 우회 취약점(CVE-2021-22006) o vCenter 서버에서 취약한 API로 인해 발생하는 네트워크 설정을 조작할 수 있는 취약점(CVE-2021-22011) o vCenter 서버에서 권한 검증이 미흡하여 발생하는 권한상승 취약점(CVE-2021-22015) 등 15개 ##### □ 영향받는 제품 및 해결 버전 제품 영향받는 버전 최신 버전 vCenter Server 7.0 7.0 U2c, 7.0 U2d Cloud Foundation (vCenter Server) 4.x KB85718 (4.3), KB85718 (4.3.1) vCenter Server 6.7 6.7 U3o Cloud Foundation (vCenter Server) 3.x KB85719 (3.10.2.2) vCenter Server 6.5 6.5 U3q ※ 최신 버전 링크 사이트에 명시되어 있는 ‘Response Matrix’ 내용을 참고하여 버전별 패치 적용 ##### □ 기타 문의사항 o 한국인터넷진흥원 사이버민원센터: 국번없이 118 [참고사이트] [1] https://www.vmware

Official advisory ↗
03

Patch and workaround

Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.

Status
?Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change.
Patch available
Affected
VMware vCenter Server, VMware Cloud Foundation: VMware vCenter Server(7.x before 7.0 U2c and 6.7 before 6.7 U3o) and VMware Cloud Foundation (4.x before 4.3 and 3.x before 3.10.2.2)
Fixed
An authoritative update reference is available, but the fixed version is not recorded in the structured CVE fields. Check the linked vendor advisory for the applicable release.
Action
Review the linked authoritative reference and apply the recorded fixed release appropriate to the affected product branch.
Workaround
No verified workaround is recorded. If business-safe, reduce exposure to the affected interface and allow only trusted sources until authoritative guidance is available.
04

Evidence and provenance

Published 23 Sept 2021 · Last source change 21 Oct 2025, 23:25 UTC · CWE-22 · Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')

CVE recordCVE.org · 5.1
CVSS sourceNIST NVD
EPSS source
?The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.
FIRST · tracked since 2026-08-14
European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2021-9174
Product sourceCISA KEV
Remediation sourceCVE/CNA references
CWE sourceCISA ADP
NVD statusNVD enriched

Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.

Material change intelligence

What changed after publication

View recent updates ↗
  1. Affected versionsThe structured affected or fixed version information changed.
    Before
    VMware vCenter Server(7.x before 7.0 U2c and 6.7 before 6.7 U3o) and VMware Cloud Foundation (4.x before 4.3 and 3.x before 3.10.2.2) · Fixed: An authoritative update reference is available, but the fixed version is not recorded in the structured CVE fields. Check the linked vendor advisory for the applicable release.
    After
    VMware vCenter Server, VMware Cloud Foundation: VMware vCenter Server(7.x before 7.0 U2c and 6.7 before 6.7 U3o) and VMware Cloud Foundation (4.x before 4.3 and 3.x before 3.10.2.2) · Fixed: An authoritative update reference is available, but the fixed version is not recorded in the structured CVE fields. Check the linked vendor advisory for the applicable release.
    CNA ↗
Material fields only · duplicate refreshes suppressed · history retained for the configured operational retention period
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
CVE
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
CVSS
Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
EPSS
Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
CWE
Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
CNA
CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
CISA ADP
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
NVD
National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
CERT / CSIRT
A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
PoC
Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
CSAF
Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
LoTL
Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.
Free version - for non-commercial use only.CVE-2021-22005 · cve.blacktree.nl