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CVE Record

CVE-2021-20400: IBM QRadar SIEM 7.3 and 7.4 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could allow an attacker...

IBM QRadar SIEM 7.3 and 7.4 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could allow an attacker to decrypt highly sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 196074.

MediumCVSS 5.9Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

IBM QRadar SIEM 7.3 and 7.4 used weaker cryptography than expected. A network attacker could potentially decrypt highly sensitive information, but exploitation is rated high complexity and no active exploitation is shown in the supplied sources.

Executive priority

Handle in normal vulnerability-management cadence with elevated attention for sensitive environments. The issue can expose highly sensitive information, but available evidence indicates high attack complexity and no confirmed active exploitation.

Technical view

CVE-2021-20400 is an IBM QRadar SIEM information disclosure issue tied to weak cryptographic algorithms. CVSS 3.0 is 5.9 with network attack vector, no privileges or user interaction, high attack complexity, and high confidentiality impact only.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to IBM QRadar SIEM versions 7.3 and 7.4 based on the supplied affected-product data. No other IBM products or versions are identified in the bundle.

Exploitation context

The CVE is not listed as CISA KEV in the supplied data. IBM X-Force ID 196074 tracks the issue, and CVSS marks exploit maturity as unproven. Treat this as a confidentiality risk requiring remediation, not as confirmed active exploitation.

Researcher notes

The public bundle does not describe the specific weak algorithms, affected cryptographic workflows, or exact fixed releases. Avoid assuming exploitability beyond the CVSS vector and IBM description. Validation should focus on version exposure, advisory mapping, and whether affected systems handle sensitive security telemetry.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify all IBM QRadar SIEM 7.3 and 7.4 deployments.
  • Review IBM advisory node 6520488 for official remediation guidance.
  • Apply IBM-supported fixes or upgrades applicable to the deployed release.
  • Reduce unnecessary network exposure to QRadar management and service interfaces.
  • Prioritize protection of systems processing highly sensitive security data.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm installed QRadar SIEM versions across production and disaster recovery environments.
  • Compare each deployment against IBM advisory node 6520488.
  • Check whether compensating network controls restrict untrusted access.
  • Document remediation status for every affected 7.3 or 7.4 instance.
  • Track IBM X-Force ID 196074 for any updated guidance.
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-2021-20400 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
5.9 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/PR:N/AC:H/I:N/C:H/A:N/AV:N/UI:N/S:U/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
5.9CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/PR:N/AC:H/I:N/C:H/A:N/AV:N/UI:N/S:U/RL:O/E:U/RC:C2.23.6Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

5.9Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-20400Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/PR:N/AC:H/I:N/C:H/A:N/AV:N/UI:N/S:U/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
IBMQRadar SIEM7.3, 7.4Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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