CVE-2021-38901 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides an in-depth analysis of CVE-2021-38901, a vulnerability affecting IBM Spectrum Protect Operations Center version 7.1.

Understanding CVE-2021-38901

CVE-2021-38901 is a vulnerability in IBM Spectrum Protect Operations Center 7.1 that could allow a local user to obtain highly sensitive information.

What is CVE-2021-38901?

The vulnerability in IBM Spectrum Protect Operations Center 7.1, under certain configurations, enables a local user to access critical information. It has been assigned IBM X-Force ID: 209610.

The Impact of CVE-2021-38901

With a CVSS base score of 5.1 (Medium Severity), CVE-2021-38901 poses a threat in terms of confidentiality, with high impact.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-38901

IBM Spectrum Protect Operations Center version 7.1 is vulnerable under specific setups, potentially leading to data exposure.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to retrieve highly sensitive information through the affected system.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Spectrum Protect Operations Center
Vendor: IBM
Version: 7.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability involves a local attacker executing specific actions to access privileged data.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect systems from CVE-2021-38901, immediate steps and long-term security practices need to be implemented.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should apply official fixes provided by IBM to address the vulnerability promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Maintaining strict access controls and monitoring system activities can help prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating IBM Spectrum Protect Operations Center to the latest secure version is crucial for mitigating the risk of exploitation.