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

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2021-22017-vmware-vcenter-server-improper-access-control  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-01-10. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2021-22017 · Severity: critical · CVSS 5.3 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-01-10

Rhttproxy in VMware vCenter Server contains a vulnerability due to improper URI normalization. A malicious actor with network access to port 443 can bypass the proxy to access internal endpoints.

Technologies: [Broadcom vCenter Server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/vcenter-server). Vendors: [Broadcom](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/broadcom).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2021-22017 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2021-22017 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 10 January 2022. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2021-22017?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 5.3, published 10 January 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** VMware vCenter Server 6.7.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2021-22017?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2021-22017 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2021-22017?** Check whether you run Broadcom vCenter Server. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- VMware vCenter Server 6.7

## Timeline

- 2021-09-23: disclosed
- 2022-01-10: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog

## Related threats

- [VMware vCenter directory traversal in Syslog server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-59310-vmware-vcenter-directory-traversal-in-syslog-server)
- [Broadcom VMware vCenter Server out-of-bounds write in DCERPC protocol](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-37079-broadcom-vmware-vcenter-server-out-of-bounds-write-in-dcerpc)
- [VMware vCenter Server Heap-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-38812-vmware-vcenter-server-heap-based-buffer-overflow-vulnerability)
- [VMware vCenter Server Privilege Escalation Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-38813-vmware-vcenter-server-privilege-escalation-vulnerability)
- [VMware vCenter Server Incorrect Default File Permissions Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2022-22948-vmware-vcenter-server-incorrect-default-file-permissions)