CVE-2021-21975
HighExploitedPublic exploitServer Side Request Forgery in vRealize Operations Manager API (CVE-2021-21975) prior to 8.4 may allow a malicious actor with network access to the vRealize Operations Manager API can perform a Server Side Request Forgery attack to steal administrative credentials.
Published May 4, 2021 · Updated Oct 2, 2026 · Also known as TR-21-0280, TR-21-0377
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2021-21975 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.5 v3.1) affecting Cloud Foundation (Vmware), Vrealize Operations Manager (Vmware), Vrealize Suite Lifecycle Manager (Vmware) and 1 more product.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Jun 1, 2021 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 78% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
7.5
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
78%
Higher than 99.5% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings, used by ransomware
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2021-21975 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
Server Side Request Forgery in vRealize Operations Manager API (CVE-2021-21975) prior to 8.4 may allow a malicious actor with network access to the vRealize Operations Manager API can perform a Server Side Request Forgery attack to steal administrative credentials.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Jan 18, 2022 | Feb 1, 2022 | Known |
| Industry KEV feed | Jun 1, 2021 | Feb 1, 2022 | Known |
| CIRCL KEV | Jan 18, 2022 | Feb 1, 2022 | Known |
| ENISA EUVD | Jan 18, 2022 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
28 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud FoundationVmware | 3.0, 3.0.1, 3.0.1.1, 3.10, 3.5, 3.5.1, 3.7, 3.7.1 | n/a |
| Vrealize Operations ManagerVmware | 7.0.0, 7.5.0, 8.0.0, 8.0.1, 8.1.0, 8.1.1, 8.2.0, 8.3.0 | n/a |
| Vrealize Suite Lifecycle ManagerVmware | 8.0, 8.0.1, 8.1, 8.2 | n/a |
| VMware vRealize Operations | >= VMware vRealize Operations prior to 8.4 | n/a |
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
May 4, 2021
Added to Industry KEV feed
Jun 1, 2021
Added to CISA KEV
Jan 18, 2022
Added to CIRCL KEV
Jan 18, 2022
Added to ENISA EUVD
Jan 18, 2022
Last updated
Oct 2, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-918 Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
References
- advisoryhttps://cxsecurity.com/issue/WLB-2021040176
- advisoryhttps://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework
- advisoryhttps://metasploit.com/download
- advisoryhttps://securityaffairs.co/wordpress/116216/security/vmware-vrops-flaws.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=vmware-vrops-flaws
- advisoryhttps://securityaffairs.co/wordpress/116233/security/vmware-carbon-black-cloud-flaw.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=vmware-carbon-black-cloud-flaw
FAQ
Common Questions.
Server Side Request Forgery in vRealize Operations Manager API (CVE-2021-21975) prior to 8.4 may allow a malicious actor with network access to the vRealize Operations Manager API can perform a Server Side Request Forgery attack to steal administrative credentials.
Affected: Cloud Foundation (Vmware) versions 3.0, 3.0.1, 3.0.1.1, 3.10, 3.5, 3.5.1, 3.7, 3.7.1; Vrealize Operations Manager (Vmware) versions 7.0.0, 7.5.0, 8.0.0, 8.0.1, 8.1.0, 8.1.1, 8.2.0, 8.3.0; Vrealize Suite Lifecycle Manager (Vmware) versions 8.0, 8.0.1, 8.1, 8.2, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Jun 1, 2021 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
Yes. It was added on Jan 18, 2022 with a federal remediation due date of Feb 1, 2022.
Public exploit code is available.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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