What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-22005?

CVE-2021-22005 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 (Critical). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 100.0%.

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

Yes, a public proof-of-concept exploit is available for CVE-2021-22005. Prioritise patching immediately. EPSS: 100.0%.

Is there a patch available for CVE-2021-22005?

Yes, a patch is available for CVE-2021-22005. Update the affected software to the latest version immediately.

Vcenter Server CVE-2021-22005

CRITICAL

Path Traversal (CWE-22)

2021-09-23 security@vmware.com

Path Traversal VMware File Upload Cloud Foundation Vcenter Server

9.8

CVSS 3.1 · NVD

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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness	CWE CWE-22 OWASP Top 10:2025 A01:2025 - Broken Access Control ASVS 5.0 V5 - File Handling Path canonicalization, traversal prevention MITRE ATT&CK 2 techniques across 2 tactics: Discovery, Collection The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. Sign in to read
Impact	CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction not required. Public proof-of-concept exploit code is available.
Exploit ScenarioDerived	A remote attacker could access files and directories outside the intended path by sending crafted requests to the affected application. No authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Why: In CISA KEV with patch available.

Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV) Patch available 100.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

The vCenter Server contains an arbitrary file upload vulnerability in the Analytics service. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Validate and canonicalize file paths. Use chroot or sandboxing. Reject input containing path separators or '../' sequences.

Affects your stack

Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified as Path Traversal (CWE-22), which allows attackers to access files and directories outside the intended path. 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. Affected products include: Vmware Cloud Foundation, Vmware Vcenter Server.

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Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 9.8 CRITICAL

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

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector

Network

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

None

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Lifecycle Timeline

Added to CISA KEV

Jul 14, 2026 - 04:22 CISA

CVE Published

Sep 23, 2021 - 12:15 nvd

CRITICAL 9.8

DescriptionNVD

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.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score

100.0%

Top 0% exploitable

Exploit

POC

Public exploit code exists

Data Quality

3 sources

Confidence: Low

NVD

CVE.org

CISA KEV

EPSS POC (2)

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue

Severity CRITICAL

CISA KEV Yes

Public POC Yes

EPSS 100.0%

Patch available Yes

Active threat Yes

Deciding rule

In CISA KEV with patch available

What every action level means

Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.

Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived

Immediate

Exploitation· derived

Active

System Exposure· derived

Open

Automatable· derived

Yes

Human Impact· derived

High

Priority Score

234

Low Medium High Critical

KEV: +50

EPSS: +100

CVSS: +49

PoC: +20

Weaponized: +15

Threat intel: 0

Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Path Traversal HIGH

Path traversal exploits occur when applications use user-controlled input to construct file system paths without proper validation.

Malicious File Upload HIGH

Malicious file upload attacks exploit insufficient validation when web applications accept user-provided files.

Affected Products (CPE)NVD

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:cloud_foundation:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:-:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.7:-:*:*:*:*:*:*

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:7.0:-:*:*:*:*:*:*

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References

Advisories & patches

PATCH https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2021-0020.html REF https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-22005

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