What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-22015?

CVE-2021-22015 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 (High). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 1.8%.

Is there a public PoC exploit available for CVE-2021-22015?

Yes, a public proof-of-concept exploit is available for CVE-2021-22015. Prioritise patching immediately. EPSS: 1.8%.

Is there a patch available for CVE-2021-22015?

Yes, a patch is available for CVE-2021-22015. Update the affected software to the latest version immediately.

Vcenter Server CVE-2021-22015

HIGH

Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties (CWE-552)

2021-09-23 security@vmware.com

Privilege Escalation Information Disclosure Path Traversal VMware Cloud Foundation Vcenter Server

7.8

CVSS 3.1 · NVD

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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness	CWE CWE-552 OWASP Top 10:2025 A01:2025 - Broken Access Control ASVS 5.0 V5 - File Handling File access restriction MITRE ATT&CK 2 techniques across 1 tactic: 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 7.8 (HIGH). Attack characteristics: local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction not required. Public proof-of-concept exploit code is available.
Exploit ScenarioDerived	Successful exploitation could compromise the high-severity affected system.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Why: Active threat signals + CRITICAL/HIGH severity.

Patch available 1.8% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

The vCenter Server contains multiple local privilege escalation vulnerabilities due to improper permissions of files and directories. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Apply vendor patches when available. Implement network segmentation and monitoring as interim mitigations.

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 under CWE-552. The vCenter Server contains multiple local privilege escalation vulnerabilities due to improper permissions of files and directories. An authenticated local user with non-administrative privilege may exploit these issues to elevate their privileges to root on vCenter Server Appliance. 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 7.8 HIGH

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

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector

Local

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

Low

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

DescriptionNVD

The vCenter Server contains multiple local privilege escalation vulnerabilities due to improper permissions of files and directories. An authenticated local user with non-administrative privilege may exploit these issues to elevate their privileges to root on vCenter Server Appliance.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score

1.8%

Top 24% exploitable

Exploit

POC

Public exploit code exists

Data Quality

3 sources

Confidence: Low

NVD

CVE.org

EPSS POC (1)

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 HIGH

CISA KEV No

Public POC Yes

EPSS 1.8%

Patch available Yes

Active threat Yes

Deciding rule

Active threat signals + CRITICAL/HIGH severity

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

Out-of-Cycle

Exploitation· derived

Active

System Exposure· derived

Small

Automatable· derived

Human Impact· derived

High

Priority Score

Low Medium High Critical

KEV: 0

EPSS: +2

CVSS: +39

PoC: +20

Weaponized: +15

Threat intel: 0

Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Privilege Escalation HIGH

Privilege escalation occurs when an attacker leverages flaws in access control mechanisms to gain permissions beyond what they were originally granted.

Path Traversal HIGH

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

Information Disclosure MEDIUM

Information disclosure occurs when an application unintentionally exposes sensitive data that aids attackers in reconnaissance or directly compromises security.