CVE-2021-22015 json
The vCenter Server contains multiple local privilege escalation vulnerabilities due to improper permissions of files and directories.
published 5y ago modified 4mo ago also EUVD-2021-9184
- cvss
- 7.8
- version 3.1, NVD
- cisa kev
- Not listed
- not in CISA's catalog
- epss
- 1.9%
- EPSS 1.9% chance of exploitation in 30 days, percentile 80%
- public exploits
- 1
- Metasploit
Summary
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.
Patch / fix
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Check with FencerTimeline
- First public exploit (Metasploit exploit/linux/local/vcenter_java_wrapper_vmon_priv_esc)
- Published
Exploit prediction
1.94% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 80% of all scored CVEs (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-09).
Exploits and checks
- Metasploit exploit/linux/local/vcenter_java_wrapper_vmon_priv_esc VMware vCenter vScalation Priv Esc metasploit exploit, manual rank, 2021-09-21
- packetstormsecurity.com http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/170116/VMware-vCenter-vScalation-Privilege-Escalation.html referenced PoC, tagged "exploit" by a source, unverified
CVSS scores
| assigned by | version | score | vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVD | 3.1 | 7.8 | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| NVD | 2.0 | 7.2 | AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C |
Affected products
- n/a VMware vCenter Server, VMware Cloud Foundation
Classification
- Weakness
-
- CWE-552 Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties
- Technology feeds
References
-
vmware.com
/security/advisories/VMSA-2021-0020.html
patch, vendor-advisory
-
packetstormsecurity.com
/files/170116/VMware-vCenter-vScalation-Privilege-Escalation.html
exploit, third-party-advisory, vdb-entry
Sources
- CVE List CVE-2021-22015
- NVD CVE-2021-22015
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