How severe is CVE-2021-21997?

CVE-2021-21997 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-21997 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (38th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-21997?

CVE-2021-21997 affects Vmware Tools. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-21997?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2021-21997 published?

CVE-2021-21997 was published on 2021-06-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-21997

CVE-2021-21997 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Vmware Tools with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.5)
CVSS v2: 4.9
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (38th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Vmware Tools
Published: 2021-06-18
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

VMware Tools for Windows (11.x.y prior to 11.3.0) contains a denial-of-service vulnerability in the VM3DMP driver. A malicious actor with local user privileges in the Windows guest operating system, where VMware Tools is installed, can trigger a PANIC in the VM3DMP driver leading to a denial-of-service condition in the Windows guest operating system.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-21997?: VMware Tools for Windows (11.x.y prior to 11.3.0) contains a denial-of-service vulnerability in the VM3DMP driver. A malicious actor with local user privileges in the Windows guest operating system, where VMware Tools is installed, can trigger a PANIC in the VM3DMP driver leading to a denial-of-service condition in the Windows guest operating system.
How severe is CVE-2021-21997?: CVE-2021-21997 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-21997 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (38th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-21997?: CVE-2021-21997 affects Vmware Tools. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-21997?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2021-21997 published?: CVE-2021-21997 was published on 2021-06-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2021-0011.html

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:tools:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Vmware Tools

CVE-2025-41244 — High (CVSS 7.8): VMware Aria Operations and VMware Tools contain a local privilege escalation vulnerability. A malicious local actor…
CVE-2023-34057 — High (CVSS 7.8): VMware Tools contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability. A malicious actor with local user access to a guest…
CVE-2022-31676 — High (CVSS 7.8): VMware Tools (12.0.0, 11.x.y and 10.x.y) contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability. A malicious actor with…
CVE-2021-21999 — High (CVSS 7.8): 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…
CVE-2016-7080 — High (CVSS 7.8): The graphic acceleration functions in VMware Tools 9.x and 10.x before 10.0.9 on OS X allow local users to gain…
CVE-2016-7079 — High (CVSS 7.8): The graphic acceleration functions in VMware Tools 9.x and 10.x before 10.0.9 on OS X allow local users to gain…

All CVEs affecting Vmware Tools →