CVE-2021-20486 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

IBM Cloud Pak for Data 3.0 has a medium-severity vulnerability (CVSS score: 5.3) that could enable an authenticated user to access sensitive information. Here's what you need to know about CVE-2021-20486.

Understanding CVE-2021-20486

This section dives into the details of the vulnerability affecting IBM Cloud Pak for Data version 3.0.

What is CVE-2021-20486?

CVE-2021-20486 is a security flaw in IBM Cloud Pak for Data 3.0 that allows an authenticated user to obtain sensitive information, particularly when the software is combined with additional plugins.

The Impact of CVE-2021-20486

The vulnerability poses a medium-level risk (CVSS base score: 5.3) with high impact on confidentiality.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-20486

Let's explore the specific technical aspects of the CVE-2021-20486 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in IBM Cloud Pak for Data 3.0 enables an authenticated user to retrieve sensitive data, potentially leading to unauthorized access.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is IBM Cloud Pak for Data version 3.0 when installed with certain additional plugins.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploit requires low privileges and a high attack complexity over the network, making it accessible to authenticated users.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we discuss the necessary actions to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2021-20486.

Immediate Steps to Take

IBM Cloud Pak for Data users should apply the official fix provided by IBM to address the vulnerability promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

To enhance overall security posture, organizations should enforce access controls, conduct regular security audits, and monitor sensitive data access.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating IBM Cloud Pak for Data to the latest version and ensuring all security patches are promptly applied is crucial to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.