The vSphere Client (HTML5) contains a remote code execution vulnerability in a vCenter Server plugin.
The vSphere Client (HTML5) vROPs plugin in VMware vCenter Server and VMware Cloud Foundation is present in all default installations. Apply the updates in the advisory's Response Matrix to fix it.
- Published
- Last modified
- Where the record stands: published, rejected by its publisher, or superseded by another id.What do these mean? →
- published
- Whether CISA lists it in its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog: proof that attackers are using it.What do these mean? →
- Listed in CISA KEV
- How many real-world setups can hit the bug, from the vendor's advisory and CISA data. It does not know your setup.What do these mean? →
- Actively exploited
- Whether working attack code is public (Exploit-DB, Metasploit, Nuclei or GitHub). Public code makes attacks easier.What do these mean? →
- None on Exploit-DB, Metasploit or GitHub
Summary
The vSphere Client (HTML5) and the vCenter Server plugin in VMware vCenter Server and VMware Cloud Foundation are affected. An attacker with network access to the service could run commands with unrestricted privileges on the underlying operating system hosting vCenter Server, potentially taking full control of the server.
Summarized by anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5. Verify details against the original sources.
Read the original description
The vSphere Client (HTML5) contains a remote code execution vulnerability in a vCenter Server plugin. A malicious actor with network access to port 443 may exploit this issue to execute commands with unrestricted privileges on the underlying operating system that hosts vCenter Server. This affects VMware vCenter Server (7.x before 7.0 U1c, 6.7 before 6.7 U3l and 6.5 before 6.5 U3n) and VMware Cloud Foundation (4.x before 4.2 and 3.x before 3.10.1.2).
Timeline
- CVE published
- Added to CISA KEV
CISA has evidence of exploitation in the wild
- CISA remediation deadline
Due date for US federal agencies to patch
- Record last updated
- EPSS reached 10%
FIRST estimates at least a 10% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Affected versions
- n/a VMware vCenter Server
7.x before 7.0 U1c, 6.7 before 6.7 U3l, 6.5 before 6.5 U3n
- n/a VMware Cloud Foundation
4.x before 4.2, 3.x before 3.10.1.2
References 4
Questions about CVE-2021-21972
What does this mean?
A flaw in a vCenter Server plugin of the vSphere Client (HTML5) allows remote code execution. Commands can run with unrestricted privileges on the operating system that hosts vCenter Server.Source: support.broadcom.com
Am I affected, and how do I check?
The affected plugin is the vCenter Server plugin for vROPs, which is available in all default installations of VMware vCenter Server and VMware Cloud Foundation. Check your vCenter Server version against the advisory's Response Matrix, since the checked facts do not list specific affected version ranges.Source: support.broadcom.com
What should I do about it?
Apply the updates listed in the 'Fixed Version' column of the advisory's Response Matrix to affected deployments. The checked facts do not list the fixed version numbers, so use the matrix directly.Source: support.broadcom.com
Is it being exploited?
Yes. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2021-11-03, which means it has evidence of attacks. No public exploit code is tracked.Source: cisa.gov, cve.now feed data
What if there's no patch?
Follow the workarounds in KB82374, which direct you to disable the affected plugin. The KB's Workarounds column states None, so disabling the plugin is the documented path.Source: support.broadcom.com