CVE-2021-21983: Arbitrary file write vulnerability in vRealize Operations Manager API (CVE-2021-21983) prior to 8.4 may allow

This week

MEDIUM 6.5DOWNGRADEDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2021-21983 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting cloud foundation, vrealize operations manager, vrealize suite lifecycle manager. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Arbitrary file write vulnerability in vRealize Operations Manager API (CVE-2021-21983) prior to 8.4 may allow an authenticated malicious actor with network access to the vRealize Operations Manager API can write files to arbitrary locations on the underlying photon operating system.

Why this priority

EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	68.8% (top 1%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2021-03-31
Last modified	2026-08-12

Publisher (CNA): VMware · Vendor: vmware

Last updated 2026-08-12 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-03-31 18:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-08-12 05:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

vmware cloud foundation DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.0 · 3.0.1 · 3.0.1.1 · 3.5 · 3.5.1 · 3.7 · 3.7.1 · 3.7.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy cloud-foundation || rpm -q cloud-foundation || cloud-foundation --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison cloud-foundation sudo apt install cloud-foundation=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0> sudo apt-mark hold cloud-foundation

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list cloud-foundation sudo dnf downgrade cloud-foundation-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0> sudo dnf versionlock add cloud-foundation

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

vmware vrealize operations manager DOWNGRADE

Affected: 7.0.0 · 7.5.0 · 8.0.0 · 8.0.1 · 8.1.0 · 8.1.1 · 8.2.0 · 8.3.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy vrealize-operations-manager || rpm -q vrealize-operations-manager || vrealize-operations-manager --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 7.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison vrealize-operations-manager sudo apt install vrealize-operations-manager=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold vrealize-operations-manager

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list vrealize-operations-manager sudo dnf downgrade vrealize-operations-manager-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add vrealize-operations-manager

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

vmware vrealize suite lifecycle manager DOWNGRADE

Affected: 8.0 · 8.0.1 · 8.1 · 8.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy vrealize-suite-lifecycle-manager || rpm -q vrealize-suite-lifecycle-manager || vrealize-suite-lifecycle-manager --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 8.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison vrealize-suite-lifecycle-manager sudo apt install vrealize-suite-lifecycle-manager=<VERSION_BEFORE_8.0> sudo apt-mark hold vrealize-suite-lifecycle-manager

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list vrealize-suite-lifecycle-manager sudo dnf downgrade vrealize-suite-lifecycle-manager-<VERSION_BEFORE_8.0> sudo dnf versionlock add vrealize-suite-lifecycle-manager

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Metasploit: VMware vRealize Operations (vROps) Manager SSRF RCE

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2021-21983?

cloud foundation: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; vrealize operations manager: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; vrealize suite lifecycle manager: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-21983 being exploited?

CVE-2021-21983 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2021-21983 affect?

CVE-2021-21983 affects cloud foundation, vrealize operations manager, vrealize suite lifecycle manager. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). Arbitrary file write vulnerability in vRealize Operations Manager API (CVE-2021-21983) prior to 8.4 may allow an authenticated malicious actor with network access to the vRealize Operations Manager API can write files to arbitrary locations

How urgent is CVE-2021-21983?

Priority 53/100. EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Software pages

VMware vulnerabilities

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References

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