CVE-2021-38988 : Security Advisory and Response

IBM AIX 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, and VIOS 3.1 could allow a non-privileged local user to exploit a vulnerability in the AIX kernel, potentially causing a denial of service.

Understanding CVE-2021-38988

This CVE impacts IBM AIX versions 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, and IBM VIOS version 3.1, potentially leading to a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2021-38988?

The vulnerability in IBM AIX and VIOS enables a non-privileged local user to trigger a denial of service by exploiting a flaw in the AIX kernel.

The Impact of CVE-2021-38988

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as MEDIUM severity, with a CVSS base score of 6.2. It poses a high availability impact but does not affect confidentiality or integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-38988

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

IBM AIX 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, and VIOS 3.1 are susceptible to a local user-triggered denial of service due to an issue in the AIX kernel.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected products include IBM AIX versions 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, and VIOS 3.1.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows a non-privileged local user to exploit the AIX kernel flaw, leading to a denial of service condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

Understanding how to mitigate and prevent the CVE is crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the official fix provided by IBM to address this vulnerability promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and maintain your system to ensure it is protected from known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Keep your IBM AIX and VIOS systems up to date with the latest security patches to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.