📄 Description (English)
VMware vCenter Server Improper Input Validation Vulnerability — VMware vSphere Client contains an improper input validation vulnerability in the Virtual SAN Health Check plug-in, which is enabled by default in vCenter Server, which allows for remote code execution.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2021-21985 is a critical remote code execution vulnerability in VMware vCenter Server's Virtual SAN Health Check plug-in affecting versions prior to 6.7 U3l, 7.0 U1c, and 7.0 U2. With a CVSS score of 9.0 and publicly available exploits, this vulnerability poses an immediate threat to Saudi organizations relying on VMware infrastructure. Unauthenticated attackers can execute arbitrary code with system privileges, potentially compromising entire virtualized environments.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 20, 2026 01:17
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability critically impacts Saudi organizations across multiple sectors: Banking sector (SAMA-regulated institutions) relying on VMware for core infrastructure; Government entities (NCA oversight) using vCenter for data center operations; Healthcare providers managing patient data on virtualized platforms; Energy sector (ARAMCO and related entities) operating critical infrastructure; Telecom providers (STC, Mobily) managing network virtualization. The default-enabled vulnerable plug-in means most Saudi deployments are at immediate risk without active mitigation.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Banking and Financial Services
Government and Public Administration
Healthcare and Medical Services
Energy and Utilities
Telecommunications
Large Enterprise IT Infrastructure
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
9.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all VMware vCenter Server instances in your environment and document versions
2. Disable the Virtual SAN Health Check plug-in immediately if not required: SSH into vCenter, run 'vpxd_servicecfg service management stop' and disable the plugin via vSphere Client
3. Implement network segmentation to restrict vCenter Server access to authorized administrators only
4. Enable vCenter Server audit logging and monitor for suspicious activities
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Apply security patches immediately: vCenter 6.7 U3l or later, 7.0 U1c or later, 7.0 U2 or later
2. Test patches in non-production environment first
3. Schedule maintenance windows for patching (typically 2-4 hours per instance)
4. Verify patch application: Check version in vSphere Client Administration > System Configuration > Version
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (if patching delayed):
1. Restrict network access to vCenter Server ports (443, 902) to trusted IP ranges only
2. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block malicious payloads targeting the Virtual SAN Health Check endpoint
3. Deploy intrusion detection signatures for CVE-2021-21985 exploitation attempts
4. Increase monitoring frequency for vCenter Server processes and network connections
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor HTTP POST requests to '/ui/h5-vsan/rest/disks/getPhysicalDisks' endpoint
2. Alert on vCenter process spawning unexpected child processes (cmd.exe, powershell.exe)
3. Track failed and successful authentication attempts to vCenter
4. Monitor for unusual outbound connections from vCenter Server
5. Log all Virtual SAN Health Check plug-in activities
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. حدد جميع نسخ VMware vCenter Server في بيئتك وتوثيق الإصدارات
2. عطّل مكون Virtual SAN Health Check فوراً إذا لم يكن مطلوباً: قم بتسجيل الدخول عبر SSH إلى vCenter وقم بتشغيل أمر إيقاف الخدمة وتعطيل المكون
3. طبّق تقسيم الشبكة لتقييد الوصول إلى vCenter Server للمسؤولين المصرحين فقط
4. فعّل تسجيل التدقيق في vCenter Server ومراقبة الأنشطة المريبة
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. طبّق تحديثات الأمان فوراً: vCenter 6.7 U3l أو أحدث، 7.0 U1c أو أحدث، 7.0 U2 أو أحدث
2. اختبر التحديثات في بيئة غير الإنتاج أولاً
3. جدول نوافذ الصيانة لتطبيق التصحيحات (عادة 2-4 ساعات لكل نسخة)
4. تحقق من تطبيق التصحيح: تحقق من الإصدار في vSphere Client
الضوابط البديلة (إذا تأخر التصحيح):
1. قيّد الوصول إلى منافذ vCenter Server (443، 902) إلى نطاقات IP موثوقة فقط
2. طبّق قواعد جدار حماية تطبيقات الويب لحجب الحمولات الضارة
3. نشّر توقيعات كشف الاختراق لمحاولات استغلال CVE-2021-21985
4. زد تكرار المراقبة لعمليات vCenter Server والاتصالات الشبكية
قواعد الكشف:
1. راقب طلبات HTTP POST إلى نقطة نهاية Virtual SAN Health Check
2. أصدر تنبيهات عند توليد عمليات vCenter لعمليات فرعية غير متوقعة
3. تتبع محاولات المصادقة الفاشلة والناجحة على vCenter
4. راقب الاتصالات الخارجية غير العادية من vCenter Server
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
A.14.2.1 - Secure development policy
A.12.3.1 - Event logging
A.12.4.1 - Event logging activation
🔵 SAMA CSF
ID.RA-1 - Asset management and criticality assessment
PR.IP-12 - Software, firmware, and information integrity mechanisms
DE.CM-1 - The network is monitored to detect potential cybersecurity events
RS.RP-1 - Response plan is executed during or after an incident
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
A.12.2.1 - Change management procedures
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
A.14.2.1 - Secure development and change management
A.12.4.1 - Event logging
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0
6.2 - Ensure security patches are installed
6.1 - Establish a process for identifying and assessing vulnerabilities
10.2 - Implement automated audit trails for access to cardholder data
🔗 References & Sources 0
No references.
📦 Affected Products / CPE 1 entries
VMware:vCenter Server