Security readout for executives and security teams
This is a critical VMware vCenter Server flaw that can let an unauthenticated attacker reach the management service over HTTPS and run commands on the vCenter host. Because vCenter controls virtualization infrastructure, compromise can affect many dependent systems, not just one server. Exposure is most likely where affected vCenter Server or VMware Cloud Foundation versions are reachable on port 443, especially from untrusted networks. Internally reachable management networks still matter because no authentication is required according to the CVSS vector. Emergency priority for any affected and reachable vCenter. The issue is unauthenticated, high-impact, known exploited, and targets virtualization management infrastructure that can create broad business disruption if compromised. Mitigation focus: Upgrade vCenter Server to 7.0 U1c, 6.7 U3l, 6.5 U3n, or later.; Upgrade VMware Cloud Foundation to 4.2 or 3.10.1.2, or later.; Restrict access to vCenter port 443 to trusted administrative networks only..
Michael Williams reviewed this cited source version on .
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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CWE-22: File access and web shell behavior lookup
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Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-21972 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
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CISA KEV status
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
9.8CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2021-0002.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-21972CVE reference · government-resource
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
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