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CVE Record

CVE-2019-4521: Platform System Manager in IBM Cloud Pak System 2.3 is potentially vulnerable to CVS Injection.

Platform System Manager in IBM Cloud Pak System 2.3 is potentially vulnerable to CVS Injection. A remote attacker could execute arbitrary commands on the system, caused by improper validation of csv file contents. IBM X-Force ID: 165179.

HighCVSS 7Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

IBM Cloud Pak System 2.3 has a Platform System Manager CSV handling flaw that could let an attacker execute commands if malicious CSV content is processed. The supplied record rates it high severity. Evidence does not show known active exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat as high priority if IBM Cloud Pak System 2.3 is present. The business risk is command execution on a management platform, but urgency depends on whether affected CSV workflows are reachable and used.

Technical view

CVE-2019-4521 is improper validation of CSV file contents in IBM Cloud Pak System 2.3 Platform System Manager. The CVSS data indicates local attack vector, high attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to organizations running IBM Cloud Pak System 2.3, specifically Platform System Manager functionality that processes CSV content. The bundle names no other versions or products.

Exploitation context

The CVE says arbitrary command execution is possible through CSV content validation failure. KEV is false, and the supplied sources do not cite public exploitation or exploit maturity beyond CVSS E:U.

Researcher notes

The source bundle lacks detailed vulnerable endpoints, patch versions, and exploit prerequisites beyond CVSS. Validate against IBM's advisory and X-Force data before assigning exploitability in an environment.

Mitigation direction

  • Check IBM advisory node 1126605 for the official remediation path.
  • Apply IBM's official fix or upgrade guidance where applicable.
  • Limit access to Platform System Manager CSV-processing workflows.
  • Avoid processing untrusted CSV files until vendor guidance is applied.
  • Monitor IBM X-Force entry 165179 for updated remediation details.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory IBM Cloud Pak System deployments and confirm any version 2.3 instances.
  • Identify whether Platform System Manager CSV import or processing features are enabled.
  • Review IBM advisory node 1126605 against installed build and fix level.
  • Check security logs for unusual command execution around CSV-processing activity.
  • Confirm compensating access controls restrict Platform System Manager use.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
4

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2019-4521 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/UI:R/PR:N/C:H/S:U/AC:H/A:H/AV:L/I:H/RL:O/E:U/RC:C

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
3Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7CVSS 3.0HighCVSS:3.0/UI:R/PR:N/C:H/S:U/AC:H/A:H/AV:L/I:H/RL:O/E:U/RC:C15.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

7High
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2019-4521Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/UI:R/PR:N/C:H/S:U/AC:H/A:H/AV:L/I:H/RL:O/E:U/RC:C

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
IBMCloud Pak System2.3Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.