huntrule

Webserver POST to vROps uploadova endpoint indicative of CVE-2021-21972 exploitation

Alerts on POST requests to the uploadova endpoint tied to CVE-2021-21972 vSphere exploitation.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v5
Category
webserver
Author
Bhabesh Raj (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2021-02-24
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Initial Access

  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

  14. Impact

What it detects

This rule flags HTTP POST requests targeting the /ui/vropspluginui/rest/services/uploadova endpoint, which matches behavior associated with exploitation of the VSphere remote code execution issue referenced as CVE-2021-21972. Attackers may use this upload-related interaction to trigger malicious activity against affected vROps components exposed via the web interface. Detection relies on webserver telemetry that records HTTP method and URI query path for inbound requests to the endpoint.

Reporting behind it

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Webserver POST to vROps uploadova endpoint indicative of CVE-2021-21972 exploitation
Pivot detection · T1190 · 9 related

Changelog

v5
  1. v5
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. v4
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  3. v3
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  4. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  5. v1
    No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.