High severity · published Feb 16, 2022
CVE-2021-22043
VMware ESXi contains a TOCTOU (Time-of-check Time-of-use) vulnerability that exists in the way temporary files are handled
7.5
CVSS
1.1%
EPSS
No
On KEV
Description
VMware ESXi contains a TOCTOU (Time-of-check Time-of-use) vulnerability that exists in the way temporary files are handled. A malicious actor with access to settingsd, may exploit this issue to escalate their privileges by writing arbitrary files.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack vector
Network
Complexity
High
Privileges
Low
User interaction
None
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Scope
Unchanged
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)1.1% · higher than 64% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo evidence yet
CISA KEVNot listed
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
ES
ESXi · VMware
7.0; 7.0; 7.0 · source: NVD
FU
Fusion · Vmware
before 4.4 · source: NVD
References
NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-22043
CVE.org
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-22043
Patch
https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2022-0004.html
More from ESXi
9.8
CVE-2020-3992
VMware ESXi OpenSLP Use-After-Free Vulnerability
9.8
CVE-2019-5544
VMware ESXi and Horizon DaaS OpenSLP Heap-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
8.2
CVE-2025-22225
VMware ESXi Arbitrary Write Vulnerability
8.2
CVE-2025-22224
VMware ESXi and Workstation TOCTOU Race Condition Vulnerability
7.8
CVE-2010-3904
Linux Kernel Improper Input Validation Vulnerability