CVE-2021-21972

Name: CVE-2021-21972
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2021-02-24T17:15:15.833+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 99.57%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-21972 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. The vSphere Client (HTML5) contains a remote code execution vulnerability in a vCenter Server plugin. A malicious actor with network access to port 443 may exploit this issue to execute commands with unrestricted privileges on the underlying operating system that hosts vCenter Server. CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 99.57% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The vSphere Client (HTML5) contains a remote code execution vulnerability in a vCenter Server plugin. A malicious actor with network access to port 443 may exploit this issue to execute commands with unrestricted privileges on the underlying operating system that hosts vCenter Server. This affects VMware vCenter Server (7.x before 7.0 U1c, 6.7 before 6.7 U3l and 6.5 before 6.5 U3n) and VMware Cloud Foundation (4.x before 4.2 and 3.x before 3.10.1.2).

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

99.57%

99.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Exploitation Status

This vulnerability is listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies must remediate by Nov 17, 2021.

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Vmware	Cloud Foundation	>= 3.0, < 3.10.1.2
Vmware	Cloud Foundation	>= 4.0, < 4.2
Vmware	Vcenter Server	6.5
Vmware	Vcenter Server	6.7
Vmware	Vcenter Server	7.0

References

http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/161590/VMware-vCenter-Server-7.0-Arbitrary-File-Upload.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/161695/VMware-vCenter-Server-File-Upload-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/163268/VMware-vCenter-6.5-6.7-7.0-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2021-0002.htmlVendor Advisory
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/161590/VMware-vCenter-Server-7.0-Arbitrary-File-Upload.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/161695/VMware-vCenter-Server-File-Upload-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/163268/VMware-vCenter-6.5-6.7-7.0-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2021-0002.htmlVendor Advisory
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-21972US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Feb 24, 2021
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-21972?

How severe is CVE-2021-21972?

CVE-2021-21972 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 99.57% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2021-21972?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2021-21972?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST