CVE-2021-21972The vSphere Client (HTML5) contains a remote code execution vulnerability in a vCenter Server plugin.
Updated under an hour ago ()
Does this affect you?
It affects vmware cloud_foundation and 1 other product. Add what you run to find out whether that includes you.
CISA lists it as known exploited since Nov 3, 2021; federal agencies had to remediate by Nov 17, 2021, and it is known to be used in ransomware. Treat that date as your deadline.
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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).
- CVSS
- 9.8 CRITICAL (v3.1, CISA ADP)CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-22
- Known exploited
- Added to CISA KEV Nov 3, 2021; federal remediation due Nov 17, 2021; known ransomware useApply updates per vendor instructions.
- EPSS (exploitation in the next 30 days)
- 99.87% (percentile 100)
- Assigned by
- vmware
- NVD analysis
- Analyzed
- Record last updated
- Aug 12, 2026
- First seen by InfoSec Signals
- Oct 9, 2026
Affected products
vmware cloud_foundation vmware:cloud_foundation | from 3.0 before 3.10.1.2; from 4.0 before 4.2 | NVD |
vmware vcenter_server vmware:vcenter_server | 6.5; 6.5; 6.5; 6.5; 6.5; 6.5; 6.5; 6.5; and 33 more ranges | NVD |
References
- https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2021-0002.htmlx-refsource-confirm, vendor-advisory
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/161590/VMware-vCenter-Server-7.0-Arbitrary-File-Upload.htmlx-refsource-misc, exploit, third-party-advisory, vdb-entry
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/161695/VMware-vCenter-Server-File-Upload-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlx-refsource-misc, exploit, third-party-advisory, vdb-entry
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/163268/VMware-vCenter-6.5-6.7-7.0-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlx-refsource-misc, exploit, third-party-advisory, vdb-entry
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-21972us-government-resource
The CVE record on cve.org NVD's entry
The CVE record is authoritative. Products marked “from the name” were identified from the CNA's free-text names, not a CPE, and are matched less certainly. This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.