CVE-2021-21978
High PUBLISHEDVMware View Planner 4.x prior to 4.6 Security Patch 1 contains a remote code execution vulnerability. Improper input validation and lack of...
Not yet in CISA KEV
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
VMware View Planner 4.x prior to 4.6 Security Patch 1 contains a remote code execution vulnerability. Improper input validation and lack of authorization leading to arbitrary file upload in logupload web application. An unauthorized attacker with network access to View Planner Harness could upload and execute a specially crafted file leading to remote code execution within the logupload container.
- CVE Published
- Mar 03, 2021
- Exploitation Reported
- Apr 22, 2025
- CVSS
- 9.8 Critical
- EPSS
- —
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| n/a |
VMware View Planner
|
VMware View Planner 4.x prior to 4.6 Security Patch 1 |
Affected |
CVE References
- vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2021-0003.html vmware.com · CVE Record https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2021-0003.html
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/161879/VMware-View-Planner-4.6-Remote-... packetstormsecurity.com · CVE Record http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/161879/VMware-View-Planner-4.6-R...
Recommended Actions
- Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
- Check enrichment artifacts for scanner coverage and available PoCs before rolling remediation validation.
- Use the Pro API to automate enrichment, telemetry, and workflow delivery for VM, SOC, and CTI pipelines.
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| The Shadowserver First | 2025-04-22 00:00 UTC |
Scanner Artifacts
Nuclei and Metasploit references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclei | https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2021/CVE-2021-21978.yaml | Apr 25, 2025 |
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/linux/http/vmware_view_planner_4_6_uploadlog_rce.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2025-04-22 00:00:00 UTC · The Shadowserver
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2021-03-05 03:58:33 UTC · GitHub
Scanner Integrations
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/linux/http/vmware_view_planner_4_6_uploadlog_rce.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
| Nuclei | https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2021/CVE-2021-21978.yaml | Apr 25, 2025 |
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
nuclei · Created Unknown
metasploit · Created Unknown
Metasploit module for CVE-2021-21978
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
15:02 UTC about 1 year ago15:02 UTC · about 1 year ago
Metasploit module available
Exploit module available
-
00:00 UTC about 1 year ago00:00 UTC · about 1 year ago
Nuclei template available
Scanner coverage available
-
00:00 UTC about 1 year ago00:00 UTC · about 1 year ago
Added to KEVIntel KEV Feed
High-confidence, third-party attested exploitation
-
03:58 UTC over 5 years ago03:58 UTC · over 5 years ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
17:44 UTC over 5 years ago17:44 UTC · over 5 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
00:00 UTC over 5 years ago00:00 UTC · over 5 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2021-21978
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2021-21978",
"title": "VMware View Planner 4.x prior to 4.6 Security Patch 1 contains a remote code ...",
"affected_vendor": "VMware",
"affected_product": "VMware View Planner",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "High",
"cvss_score": 9.8,
"epss_score": null,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}