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CVE Record

CVE-2021-20378: IBM Guardium Data Encryption (GDE) 3.0.0.2 and 4.0.0.4 does not invalidate session after logout which could...

IBM Guardium Data Encryption (GDE) 3.0.0.2 and 4.0.0.4 does not invalidate session after logout which could allow an authenticated user to impersonate another user on the system. IBM X-Force ID: 195709.

MediumCVSS 6.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

IBM Guardium Data Encryption versions 3.0.0.2 and 4.0.0.4 may leave sessions valid after logout. A logged-in user could abuse that weakness to impersonate another user. This is a moderate identity and access-control risk, not a disclosed remote unauthenticated takeover.

Executive priority

Treat as a scheduled remediation item with access-control significance. It is not marked as exploited, but affected systems protect sensitive data workflows, so confirmed vulnerable deployments should be fixed through IBM guidance without unnecessary delay.

Technical view

The CVE describes improper session invalidation after logout in IBM Guardium Data Encryption. CVSS 3.0 score is 6.3 with network access, low complexity, low privileges required, and no user interaction. Reported impacts are low confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. No CWE is listed in the bundle.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to environments running IBM Guardium Data Encryption 3.0.0.2 or 4.0.0.4. The attacker must already be authenticated, so risk is highest where shared workstations, weak session handling controls, or broad user access exist.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not report active exploitation, and CISA KEV status is false. The vulnerability requires an authenticated user and relates to session persistence after logout, which can enable impersonation if a valid session remains usable.

Researcher notes

Evidence is strongest for affected versions, CVSS, and vulnerability class. The bundle does not provide a named fixed version, CWE, exploit details, or observed exploitation. Avoid assuming other Guardium products or versions are affected without IBM confirmation.

Mitigation direction

  • Review IBM advisory 6469407 for official remediation guidance.
  • Prioritize upgrade or fix planning for affected GDE versions.
  • Reduce shared-console use until remediation is confirmed.
  • Review session timeout and logout controls around GDE access.
  • Monitor IBM X-Force entry 195709 for vendor updates.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory IBM Guardium Data Encryption deployments and versions.
  • Confirm whether versions 3.0.0.2 or 4.0.0.4 are present.
  • Verify logout invalidates active sessions after remediation.
  • Review authentication logs for unusual post-logout activity.
  • Document compensating controls if remediation is delayed.
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-2021-20378 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
6.3 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

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
6.3CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/I:L/UI:N/C:L/AC:L/S:U/AV:N/PR:L/A:L/E:U/RC:C/RL:O2.83.4Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

6.3Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-20378Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

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
IBMGuardium Data Encryption3.0.0.2, 4.0.0.4Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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