CVE-2021-21999

HIGH

7.8

CVSS Score

Published: June 23, 2021 at 11:16 AM UTC

Updated: June 17, 2026 at 03:36 AM UTC

3 products affected across 1 vendorToolsRemote ConsoleApp Volumes

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Severity

HIGH7.8

Exploit prediction

EPSS 1%

Description

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.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

App Volumes · VMware

95%

v < 11.2.62.0 ≤ v < 2.18.104 ≤ v < 2103

Affected range stops below 11.2.6, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Affected range stops below 2.18.10, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Affected range stops below 2103, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Remote Console · VMware

95%

v < 11.2.612.0.0 ≤ v < 12.0.1

Affected range stops below 11.2.6, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Affected range stops below 12.0.1, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Tools · VMware

95%

v < 11.2.611.0.0 ≤ v < 11.2.6

Affected range stops below 11.2.6, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet. What the record does show:

Patch and advisory references

https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2021-0013.html

References (2)

x_refsource_MISCPatchVendor Advisory

Source: [email protected]

https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2021-0013.html

x_refsource_MISCThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry

Source: [email protected]

https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-754/

CVSS

7.8HIGH[email protected]

Attack Vector: LOCAL
Complexity: LOW
Privileges: LOW
User Interaction: NONE
Scope: UNCHANGED
Confidentiality: HIGH
Integrity: HIGH
Availability: HIGH

Vector?

Quick Info

StatusMODIFIED

CWE

CWE-427

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