CVE-2021-21999 json
VMware Tools for Windows (11.x.y prior to 11.2.6), VMware Remote Console for Windows (12.x prior to 12.0.1) , VMware App Volumes (2.x prior…
published 2021-06-23 5 y ago modified 2026-06-17 4 mo ago also EUVD-2021-9169
- cvss
- 7.8
- version 3.1, NVD
- cisa kev
- Not listed
- not in CISA's catalog
- epss
- 1.5%
- EPSS 1.5% chance of exploitation in 30 days, percentile 74%
- public exploits
- 0
- none known
Summary
VMware Tools for Windows (11.x.y prior to 11.2.6), VMware Remote Console for Windows (12.x prior to 12.0.1) , VMware App Volumes (2.x prior to 2.18.10 and 4 prior to 2103) contain a local privilege escalation vulnerability. An attacker with normal access to a virtual machine may exploit this issue by placing a malicious file renamed as `openssl.cnf' in an unrestricted directory which would allow code to be executed with elevated privileges.
Patch / fix
- vmware app_volumes 2.18.10, 2103
- vmware remote_console 12.0.1
- vmware tools 11.2.6
Exploit prediction
1.47% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 74% of all scored CVEs (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-08).
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 Tools for Windows, VMware Remote Console for Windows and VMware App Volumes
Classification
- Weakness
-
- CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element
- Technology feeds
References
-
vmware.com
/security/advisories/VMSA-2021-0013.html
patch, vendor-advisory
-
zerodayinitiative.com
/advisories/ZDI-21-754/
third-party-advisory, vdb-entry
Sources
- CVE List CVE-2021-21999
- NVD CVE-2021-21999
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