How severe is CVE-2021-22980?

CVE-2021-22980 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-22980 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (20th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-22980?

CVE-2021-22980 primarily affects F5 Access Policy Manager Clients. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-22980?

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-2021-22980 published?

CVE-2021-22980 was published on 2021-02-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-22980

CVE-2021-22980 is a high-severity vulnerability in F5 Access Policy Manager Clients with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-426.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 6.9
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (20th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-426
Affected product: F5 Access Policy Manager Clients
Published: 2021-02-12
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

In Edge Client version 7.2.x before 7.2.1.1, 7.1.9.x before 7.1.9.8, and 7.1.x-7.1.8.x before 7.1.8.5, an untrusted search path vulnerability in the BIG-IP APM Client Troubleshooting Utility (CTU) for Windows could allow an attacker to load a malicious DLL library from its current directory. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the victim must run this utility on the Windows system. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Software Development (EoSD) are not evaluated.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-22980?: In Edge Client version 7.2.x before 7.2.1.1, 7.1.9.x before 7.1.9.8, and 7.1.x-7.1.8.x before 7.1.8.5, an untrusted search path vulnerability in the BIG-IP APM Client Troubleshooting Utility (CTU) for Windows could allow an attacker to load a malicious DLL library from its current directory. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the victim must run this utility on the Windows system. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Software Development (EoSD) are not evaluated.
How severe is CVE-2021-22980?: CVE-2021-22980 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-22980 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (20th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-22980?: CVE-2021-22980 primarily affects F5 Access Policy Manager Clients. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-22980?: 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-2021-22980 published?: CVE-2021-22980 was published on 2021-02-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K29282483

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:f5:access_policy_manager_clients:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_access_policy_manager:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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