Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Citrix ShareFile storage zones controller versions before 5.11.20 had an access-control flaw that could let an unauthenticated remote attacker compromise the controller. Because CISA lists this CVE in KEV, treat exposed or unpatched systems as urgent.
Executive priority
Immediate priority for any environment using Citrix ShareFile storage zones controller. Known exploitation plus unauthenticated remote compromise potential creates material risk to file-sharing infrastructure and sensitive stored data.
Technical view
CVE-2021-22941 is CWE-284 improper access control in Citrix ShareFile storage zones controller before 5.11.20. The CVSS 3.1 score is 9.8, with network access, low complexity, no privileges, and no user interaction required, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely in organizations running Citrix ShareFile storage zones controller versions before 5.11.20, especially where controllers are reachable from untrusted networks. The source bundle does not identify specific cloud services, appliances, or downstream products beyond this component.
Exploitation context
CISA KEV inclusion indicates known exploitation has occurred. The provided sources do not include exploit mechanics, campaign details, indicators of compromise, or affected deployment patterns, so validation should focus on version status, exposure, and vendor guidance.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports critical impact and known exploitation through CISA KEV, but the bundle does not provide technical root-cause details, exploit primitives, IoCs, or a full version matrix. Avoid assuming affected products beyond Citrix ShareFile storage zones controller before 5.11.20.
Mitigation direction
- Review Citrix CTX328123 for the approved remediation path.
- Update affected storage zones controllers per Citrix guidance.
- Prioritize internet-reachable controllers and business-critical file-sharing environments.
- Restrict controller access to trusted networks where operationally feasible.
- Monitor vendor and CISA guidance for any additional required actions.
Validation and detection
- Inventory all Citrix ShareFile storage zones controller instances.
- Confirm whether each controller is before version 5.11.20.
- Identify any controllers reachable from untrusted or public networks.
- Review relevant logs for suspicious unauthenticated access patterns.
- Verify remediation status against Citrix CTX328123 and CISA KEV records.
Public sources used
Michael Williams reviewed this cited source version on .
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-284: Authorization and privilege behavior lookup
Authorization weaknesses can support privilege escalation and valid-account review, depending on exploit path. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-22941 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
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
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
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://support.citrix.com/article/CTX328123CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-22941CVE reference · government-resource
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Access Control
Improper Access Control represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.