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Vulnerability record · CVE-2021-21999 · published 23 June 2021

CVE-2021-21999: Vmware app volumes uncontrolled search path element vulnerability

Vmware · App Volumes

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.

7.8 CVSS 3.1 High EPSS 1.5% · top 27.2% CWE-427 · Uncontrolled search path element
7.8CVSS 3.1 base score, v2 7.2
1.5%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
3Affected product versions listed by NVD
4References
17 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

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.

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

3 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2021-0013.html PatchVendor Advisory
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-754/ Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2021-0013.html PatchVendor Advisory
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-754/ Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry

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Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2021-21999), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-28). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.