CVE-2021-29891 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

IBM OPENBMC OP910 and OP940 have a vulnerability that could allow a privileged user to upload an improper site identity certificate, resulting in a loss of network services. This CVE was published on August 19, 2022, with a CVSS base score of 4.5.

Understanding CVE-2021-29891

This section will cover what CVE-2021-29891 is and its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-29891?

CVE-2021-29891 affects IBM Power 9 AC922, specifically versions OP910 and OP940. It can allow a privileged user to upload a wrong site identity certificate causing disruption in network services.

The Impact of CVE-2021-29891

The vulnerability poses a medium-severity risk (base score of 4.5) with high availability impact. It requires high privileges and user interaction for exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-29891

This section dives into the vulnerability description, affected systems, versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in IBM OPENBMC OP910 and OP940 enables a privileged user to upload a flawed site identity certificate leading to network service disruption.

Affected Systems and Versions

The IBM Power 9 AC922 systems running OP910 and OP940 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker with high privileges can exploit this vulnerability by uploading an improper site identity certificate, causing network service issues.

Mitigation and Prevention

To secure your system, it is crucial to take immediate steps and implement long-term security practices to mitigate the risk of CVE-2021-29891.

Immediate Steps to Take

Ensure to apply official fixes provided by IBM to address the vulnerability and prevent unauthorized upload of identity certificates.

Long-Term Security Practices

Maintain strict access controls, regularly update and patch systems, and educate users about secure practices to enhance overall system security.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from IBM and promptly apply patches to address known vulnerabilities and strengthen system defenses.