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CVE Record

CVE-2021-20364: IBM Cloud Pak for Applications 4.3 is vulnerable to cross-site scripting.

IBM Cloud Pak for Applications 4.3 is vulnerable to cross-site scripting. This vulnerability allows users to embed arbitrary JavaScript code in the Web UI thus altering the intended functionality potentially leading to credentials disclosure within a trusted session. IBM X-Force ID: 195035.

MediumCVSS 5.4Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

IBM Cloud Pak for Applications 4.3 has a cross-site scripting flaw in its Web UI. A logged-in user could place JavaScript into the interface, changing what another trusted session sees or does and potentially exposing credentials. The issue is medium severity, but it matters where the admin UI is broadly accessible.

Executive priority

Treat as a medium-priority remediation item unless the affected Web UI is widely accessible or used by privileged administrators. Prioritize confirmation and vendor-guided remediation during the next patch cycle.

Technical view

CVE-2021-20364 affects IBM Cloud Pak for Applications 4.3. The CVSS 3.0 score is 5.4 with network access, low privileges, required user interaction, changed scope, and low confidentiality and integrity impact. IBM describes arbitrary JavaScript embedding in the Web UI with possible credential disclosure inside a trusted session.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to environments running IBM Cloud Pak for Applications 4.3. Risk is higher if the Web UI is reachable by many authenticated users or from less trusted networks. The provided sources do not identify other affected versions or products.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. The CVSS vector includes Exploit Code Maturity High, but that is not the same as confirmed active exploitation. User interaction and authenticated low-privilege access are required.

Researcher notes

The bundle identifies XSS, credential disclosure potential, and IBM X-Force ID 195035, but does not include the vulnerable parameter, fixed version, or detailed mitigation text. Avoid assuming affected builds beyond Cloud Pak for Applications 4.3.

Mitigation direction

  • Review IBM advisory node 6471339 for official remediation details.
  • Apply IBM-provided fixes or upgrades for affected 4.3 deployments.
  • Restrict Web UI access to trusted users and networks.
  • Enforce least-privilege access for Cloud Pak administrative interfaces.
  • Monitor for unexpected script-like content in Web UI-controlled fields.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory IBM Cloud Pak for Applications versions and identify any 4.3 deployments.
  • Confirm whether IBM advisory remediation has been applied.
  • Review access controls for the affected Web UI.
  • Check logs or content records for suspicious script-like entries.
  • Verify vulnerability scanners map findings specifically to CVE-2021-20364.
Prepared
Confidence
high
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-2021-20364 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5.4 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/UI:R/PR:L/A:N/AC:L/I:L/S:C/C:L/AV:N/RL:O/E:H/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
5.4CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/UI:R/PR:L/A:N/AC:L/I:L/S:C/C:L/AV:N/RL:O/E:H/RC:C2.32.7Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

5.4Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-20364Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/UI:R/PR:L/A:N/AC:L/I:L/S:C/C:L/AV:N/RL:O/E:H/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 for Applications4.3Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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