How severe is CVE-2021-21998?

CVE-2021-21998 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-21998 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 11% (95th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-21998?

CVE-2021-21998 primarily affects Vmware Carbon Black App Control. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-21998?

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

When was CVE-2021-21998 published?

CVE-2021-21998 was published on 2021-06-23 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-21998

CVE-2021-21998 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Vmware Carbon Black App Control with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 11% places it in the 95th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-287.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 11% (95th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Vmware Carbon Black App Control
Published: 2021-06-23
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

VMware Carbon Black App Control 8.0, 8.1, 8.5 prior to 8.5.8, and 8.6 prior to 8.6.2 has an authentication bypass. A malicious actor with network access to the VMware Carbon Black App Control management server might be able to obtain administrative access to the product without the need to authenticate.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-21998?: VMware Carbon Black App Control 8.0, 8.1, 8.5 prior to 8.5.8, and 8.6 prior to 8.6.2 has an authentication bypass. A malicious actor with network access to the VMware Carbon Black App Control management server might be able to obtain administrative access to the product without the need to authenticate.
How severe is CVE-2021-21998?: CVE-2021-21998 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-21998 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 11% (95th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-21998?: CVE-2021-21998 primarily affects Vmware Carbon Black App Control. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-21998?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-21998 published?: CVE-2021-21998 was published on 2021-06-23 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2021-0012.html?

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:a:vmware:carbon_black_app_control:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:carbon_black_app_control:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vmware:carbon_black_app_control:8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Vmware Carbon Black App Control

CVE-2022-22952 — Critical (CVSS 9.1): VMware Carbon Black App Control (8.5.x prior to 8.5.14, 8.6.x prior to 8.6.6, 8.7.x prior to 8.7.4 and 8.8.x prior to…
CVE-2022-22951 — Critical (CVSS 9.1): VMware Carbon Black App Control (8.5.x prior to 8.5.14, 8.6.x prior to 8.6.6, 8.7.x prior to 8.7.4 and 8.8.x prior to…
CVE-2023-20858 — High (CVSS 7.2): VMware Carbon Black App Control 8.7.x prior to 8.7.8, 8.8.x prior to 8.8.6, and 8.9.x.prior to 8.9.4 contain an…

All CVEs affecting Vmware Carbon Black App Control →

Other CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-45480 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Active Directory allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
CVE-2026-46389 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): UDS Identity Config builds the Keycloak configuration image (realm, plugins, theme, truststore, JARs) consumed by UDS…
CVE-2026-10611 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in MISP when LDAP mixed authentication is enabled with OTP enforcement.…
CVE-2026-47280 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Resource Manager (ARM) allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a…
CVE-2026-42822 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Local Disconnected Operations allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges…
CVE-2026-20182 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): May 2026: This security advisory provides the details and fix information for a vulnerability that was discovered and…

Browse all CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities →