Which products and versions are affected by CVE-2021-22005?

Affected: Cloud Foundation (Vmware); Vcenter Server (Vmware) versions 6.5, 6.7, 7.0; VMware vCenter Server, VMware Cloud Foundation versions >= 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). The full list is in the CVE brief.

Is CVE-2021-22005 being exploited in the wild?

It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Sep 24, 2021 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns.

Is CVE-2021-22005 in the CISA KEV catalog?

Yes. It was added on Nov 3, 2021 with a federal remediation due date of Nov 17, 2021.

Is there a public exploit for CVE-2021-22005?

Public exploit code is available.

Is there a fix for CVE-2021-22005?

Fixed versions are available, including Cloud Foundation 5.0.

How urgently should CVE-2021-22005 be patched?

Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.

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Vulnerability Intelligence

CVE-2021-22005

CriticalExploitedPublic exploit

The vCenter Server contains an arbitrary file upload vulnerability in the Analytics service.

Published Sep 27, 2021 · Updated Oct 21, 2025

Key Facts

Patch immediately

CVE-2021-22005 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting Cloud Foundation (Vmware), Vcenter Server (Vmware), VMware vCenter Server, VMware Cloud Foundation.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Sep 24, 2021 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns. Public exploit code is available.
EPSS estimates a 100% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
Fixed versions are available, including Cloud Foundation 5.0.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.

CVSS v3.1

9.8

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

EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)

100%

Higher than 99.9% 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-2021-22005 brief as a PDF

Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.

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.

Known-Exploited Catalog Listings

Catalog	Added	Remediation due	Ransomware use
CISA KEV	Nov 3, 2021	Nov 17, 2021	Known
Industry KEV feed	Sep 24, 2021	Nov 17, 2021	Known
CIRCL KEV	Nov 3, 2021	Nov 17, 2021	Known
ENISA EUVD	Nov 3, 2021	n/a	Not reported

Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Affected Products

5 affected entries in total

Product	Affected versions	Fixed in
Cloud FoundationVmware	See advisory	5.0
Vcenter ServerVmware	6.5, 6.7, 7.0	n/a
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)	n/a

Patched Releases

Cloud Foundation

5.0

Timeline

Added to Industry KEV feed
Sep 24, 2021
Publicly disclosed
Sep 27, 2021
Added to CISA KEV
Nov 3, 2021
Added to CIRCL KEV
Nov 3, 2021
Added to ENISA EUVD
Nov 3, 2021
Last updated
Oct 21, 2025

Weakness Type

CWE-22 Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')

References

15 more references in the full CVE brief

FAQ

Common Questions.

The vCenter Server contains an arbitrary file upload vulnerability in the Analytics service.
Affected: Cloud Foundation (Vmware); Vcenter Server (Vmware) versions 6.5, 6.7, 7.0; VMware vCenter Server, VMware Cloud Foundation versions >= 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). 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 Sep 24, 2021 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
Yes. It was added on Nov 3, 2021 with a federal remediation due date of Nov 17, 2021.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Cloud Foundation 5.0.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.

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