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CVE-2021-20413: IBM Guardium Data Encryption (GDE) 4.0.0.4 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information wh...

IBM Guardium Data Encryption (GDE) 4.0.0.4 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information when a detailed technical error message is returned in the browser. This information could be used in further attacks against the system. IBM X-Force ID: 196212.

MediumCVSS 4.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This flaw can leak sensitive technical details through browser error messages in IBM Guardium Data Encryption. The issue is not described as system takeover, but leaked information can help an attacker plan later attacks. Treat it as a moderate exposure reduction item, especially for internet-reachable or broadly accessible deployments.

Executive priority

Prioritize remediation during normal vulnerability management cycles unless the product is exposed to untrusted networks or sensitive environments. The business risk is information leakage that may make later attacks easier, not direct compromise based on the available sources.

Technical view

IBM Guardium Data Encryption 4.0.0.4 may return detailed technical error messages in the browser. A remote attacker with low privileges could obtain sensitive information. CVSS 3.0 is 4.3: network attack vector, low complexity, no user interaction, low confidentiality impact, and no integrity or availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to organizations running IBM Guardium Data Encryption 4.0.0.4. The CVSS vector indicates network reachability and low required privileges, so risk is higher where the relevant browser-accessible interface is reachable by many users or exposed beyond trusted networks.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. IBM states the leaked information could support further attacks. Exploitability is listed as unproven in the CVSS temporal vector provided in the bundle.

Researcher notes

No CWE is provided in the bundle. Affected scope is specifically IBM Guardium Data Encryption 4.0.0.4. Available evidence supports an information disclosure condition through detailed browser error messages, with low confidentiality impact and no cited integrity or availability impact.

Mitigation direction

  • Check IBM advisory guidance for the supported remediation for GDE 4.0.0.4.
  • Apply IBM-provided fixes or upgrades for affected Guardium Data Encryption deployments.
  • Restrict access to the relevant browser-accessible interface to trusted networks and users.
  • Review configuration for detailed error exposure and align with IBM guidance.
  • Monitor logs for unusual authenticated access or repeated error-triggering activity.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory IBM Guardium Data Encryption instances and identify any running 4.0.0.4.
  • Confirm each affected instance has IBM-recommended remediation applied.
  • Verify browser error pages no longer reveal sensitive technical details.
  • Check that access to the relevant interface requires appropriate authentication and network controls.
  • Review vulnerability management records for CVE-2021-20413 closure evidence.
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.

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CVE-2021-20413 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
4.3 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/A:N/AC:L/I:N/PR:L/AV:N/S:U/UI:N/C:L/RC:C/E:U/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
4.3CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/A:N/AC:L/I:N/PR:L/AV:N/S:U/UI:N/C:L/RC:C/E:U/RL:O2.81.4Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

4.3Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-20413Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/A:N/AC:L/I:N/PR:L/AV:N/S:U/UI:N/C:L/RC:C/E:U/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 Encryption4.0.0.4Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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