How severe is CVE-2021-21980?

CVE-2021-21980 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.

Is CVE-2021-21980 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 5% (91st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-21980?

CVE-2021-21980 primarily affects Vmware Cloud Foundation. In total, 36 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-21980?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2021-21980 published?

CVE-2021-21980 was published on 2021-11-24 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-21980

CVE-2021-21980 is a high-severity vulnerability in Vmware Cloud Foundation with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
CVSS v2: 5.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 5% (91st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Vmware Cloud Foundation
Published: 2021-11-24
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The vSphere Web Client (FLEX/Flash) contains an unauthorized arbitrary file read vulnerability. A malicious actor with network access to port 443 on vCenter Server may exploit this issue to gain access to sensitive information.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-21980?: The vSphere Web Client (FLEX/Flash) contains an unauthorized arbitrary file read vulnerability. A malicious actor with network access to port 443 on vCenter Server may exploit this issue to gain access to sensitive information.
How severe is CVE-2021-21980?: CVE-2021-21980 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
Is CVE-2021-21980 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 5% (91st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-21980?: CVE-2021-21980 primarily affects Vmware Cloud Foundation. In total, 36 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-21980?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-21980 published?: CVE-2021-21980 was published on 2021-11-24 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2021-0027.html

Affected products (36)

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:cloud_foundation:3.0:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update_1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update_1b:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update_1c:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update_1d:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update_1e:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update_1g:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update_2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update_2b:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update_2c:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update_2d:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update_2g:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update_3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update_3d:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update_3f:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update_3k:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update_3n:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update_3p:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.5:update_3q:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.7:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.7:update_1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.7:update_1b:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.7:update_2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.7:update_2a:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.7:update_2c:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.7:update_3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.7:update_3a:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.7:update_3b:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.7:update_3f:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.7:update_3g:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.7:update_3j:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.7:update_3l:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.7:update_3m:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.7:update_3n:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:vcenter_server:6.7:update_3o:*:*:*:*:*:*

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