# CVE-2021-22017: VMware vCenter Server Improper Access Control

> A network attacker can bypass proxy restrictions in vCenter Server to access internal endpoints due to improper URI normalization.

- **Severity:** Medium 5.3 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Yes, since 10 Jan 2022 (CISA KEV)
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 23 Sep 2021
- **Updated:** 21 Oct 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-w46j-w72r-9x98

## What is CVE-2021-22017?

CVE-2021-22017 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Vmware Vcenter Server, published on 23 Sep 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Rhttproxy as used in vCenter Server contains a vulnerability due to improper implementation of URI normalization. A malicious actor with network access to port 443 on vCenter Server may exploit this issue to bypass proxy leading to internal endpoints being accessed.

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-22017?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Vmware Vcenter Server.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-22017?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-22017 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 24 Jan 2022.

## Is CVE-2021-22017 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2021-22017 in the wild since at least 10 Jan 2022.

Public exploit code:

- vCenter Server - Improper Access Control (nuclei): http/cves/2021/CVE-2021-22017.yaml

## Other vulnerabilities in Vmware Vcenter Server

- [CVE-2026-59310](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-59310/): Broadcom VMware vCenter Path Traversal (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2023-34048](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-34048/): VMware vCenter Server Out-of-Bounds Write (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2020-3952](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-3952/): VMware vCenter Server Information Disclosure (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2015-2342](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-2342/): Code injection in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2026-59309](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-59309/): vCenter authentication-bypass vulnerability (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-22017 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-22017 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Vmware Vcenter Server, published on 23 Sep 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2021-22017 in the wild since at least 10 Jan 2022.

Affected product: Vmware Vcenter Server. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-22017/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-22017/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-22017
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-22017
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-22017

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-22017/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.