VMware vCenter Server - Arbitrary File Upload (CVE-2021-22005)

CVE-2021-22005, a vulnerability in VMware vCenter Server and VMware Cloud Foundation allows attackers with network access to port 443 to exploit an arbitrary file upload flaw in the Analytics service. By uploading specially crafted files, malicious actors can achieve remote code execution on the vCenter Server, potentially leading to full system compromise and further attacks within the virtual infrastructure.

CrowdSec has been tracking this vulnerability and its exploits since 12th of June 2025.

CrowdSec network observations suggest that most exploitation of CVE-2021-22005 involves focused reconnaissance to identify viable targets. Attackers typically tailor their campaigns based on system exposure and configuration. It is unlikely that a given attack is accidental. In addition, according to the CrowdSec network, attack volume against CVE-2021-22005 has dipped slightly compared to the previous week. Although still commonly targeted, the decline suggests a cooling-off period. Long-term relevance remains, but attention is waning.

Attackers exploit this vulnerability by sending POST requests to /analytics/telemetry/ph/api/hyper/send, allowing them to upload arbitrary files and potentially execute code on vulnerable VMware vCenter Server instances.