CVE-2021-38971 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been discovered in IBM Data Virtualization on Cloud Pak for Data versions 1.3.0, 1.4.1, 1.5.0, 1.7.1, and 1.7.3. This flaw could potentially allow an authorized user to bypass data masking rules and access sensitive information.

Understanding CVE-2021-38971

This section provides insights into the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to the CVE-2021-38971 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-38971?

CVE-2021-38971 affects IBM Data Virtualization on Cloud Pak for Data, enabling an attacker to circumvent data masking controls and retrieve confidential data.

The Impact of CVE-2021-38971

The vulnerability poses a medium severity risk with a CVSS base score of 4.9. It could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, compromising data confidentiality.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-38971

Let's delve deeper into the specifics of the vulnerability to understand its implications better.

Vulnerability Description

IBM Data Virtualization on Cloud Pak for Data versions 1.3.0 to 1.7.3 is susceptible to an exploit that allows an authorized user to obtain sensitive data by bypassing data masking protections.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected products include IBM Data Virtualization on Cloud Pak for Data versions 1.3.0, 1.4.1, 1.5.0, 1.7.1, and 1.7.3.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability permits a high-privileged user to subvert data masking controls and access confidential information, potentially resulting in data exposure.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard against CVE-2021-38971, it is crucial to take immediate action and adopt long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement access controls, review user permissions, and monitor data access to mitigate the risk of unauthorized data retrieval.

Long-Term Security Practices

Enhance data masking mechanisms, conduct regular security audits, and educate users on data protection best practices to fortify your defenses.

Patching and Updates

Apply official fixes provided by IBM promptly to address the vulnerability and prevent potential data breaches.