CVE-2021-20546 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2021-20546 affecting IBM Spectrum Protect Client versions 8.1.0.0 to 8.1.11.0. Explore its impact, technical details, and mitigation steps to secure your systems.
IBM Spectrum Protect Client versions 8.1.0.0 through 8.1.11.0 are affected by a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability due to improper bounds checking, potentially leading to a denial of service. Here's a detailed overview of CVE-2021-20546.
Understanding CVE-2021-20546
This section provides insights into what CVE-2021-20546 entails.
What is CVE-2021-20546?
The vulnerability affects IBM Spectrum Protect Client versions 8.1.0.0 through 8.1.11.0, allowing a local attacker to trigger a buffer overflow by exceeding the buffer's capacity, thus crashing the application.
The Impact of CVE-2021-20546
The attack has a CVSS v3.0 base score of 6.2, categorized as medium severity. While it requires a low-complexity local attack vector with no user interaction, the potential disruption to service availability is significant.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-20546
This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability is a stack-based buffer overflow in IBM Spectrum Protect Client, facilitating a possible denial of service attack due to inadequate boundary validation.
Affected Systems and Versions
IBM Spectrum Protect for Space Management versions 8.1.0.0 and 8.1.11.0 are identified as vulnerable to this stack-based buffer overflow issue.
Exploitation Mechanism
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability locally, overflowing the buffer and causing a crash, potentially leading to a denial of service.
Mitigation and Prevention
Explore actionable steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-20546.
Immediate Steps to Take
Implement security patches and updates released by IBM to address the stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Spectrum Protect Client versions 8.1.0.0 through 8.1.11.0.
Long-Term Security Practices
Establish regular security audits, employ network segmentation, and monitor for unusual activity to enhance overall cybersecurity posture.
Patching and Updates
Continuously monitor IBM's security advisories and promptly apply patches and updates to safeguard against known vulnerabilities.