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CVE Record

CVE-2021-20484: IBM Sterling File Gateway 2.2.0.0 through 6.1.0.3 is vulnerable to cross-site scripting.

IBM Sterling File Gateway 2.2.0.0 through 6.1.0.3 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: 197666.

MediumCVSS 5.4Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

IBM Sterling File Gateway has a Web UI cross-site scripting flaw. An authenticated user could cause JavaScript to run inside a trusted browser session, potentially exposing credentials or changing what the user sees. The issue is medium severity, but it matters where the product supports sensitive file-transfer operations.

Executive priority

Treat as a moderate-priority remediation item, not an emergency absent evidence of active exploitation. Prioritize systems that process sensitive partner transfers or expose the Web UI widely, because credential disclosure within trusted sessions could affect business operations.

Technical view

CVE-2021-20484 affects IBM Sterling File Gateway 2.2.0.0 through 6.1.0.3. The CVSS 3.0 score is 5.4 with network access, low complexity, low privileges, required user interaction, changed scope, and low confidentiality and integrity impact. IBM X-Force tracks it as ID 197666.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely limited to organizations running affected IBM Sterling File Gateway versions with accessible Web UI users. Risk is higher where the Web UI is reachable from broad internal networks or where users with access handle sensitive transfer credentials.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not identify CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. The CVSS vector marks exploit code maturity as high, but the provided sources do not include exploit details. User interaction and a low-privileged authenticated context are required.

Researcher notes

The record does not list CWE details or a specific fixed version in the supplied bundle. Avoid assuming affected adjacent IBM products. Use IBM’s advisory and X-Force entry to confirm product-specific remediation and any later operational guidance.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory IBM Sterling File Gateway deployments and record exact versions.
  • Review IBM advisory for fixed releases, patches, or interim guidance.
  • Prioritize remediation for internet-facing or broadly reachable Web UI instances.
  • Restrict Web UI access to trusted users and managed networks.
  • Monitor for unusual authenticated Web UI activity or credential-related events.

Validation and detection

  • Compare installed versions against 2.2.0.0 through 6.1.0.3.
  • Confirm whether IBM vendor remediation has been applied.
  • Verify Web UI exposure from internet and internal network segments.
  • Review access logs for unexpected authenticated Web UI activity.
  • Document compensating controls if immediate patching 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-2021-20484 mapping review

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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/C:L/I:L/AC:L/A:N/PR:L/S:C/AV:N/E:H/RL:O/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/C:L/I:L/AC:L/A:N/PR:L/S:C/AV:N/E:H/RL:O/RC:C2.32.7Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

5.4Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-20484Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/UI:R/C:L/I:L/AC:L/A:N/PR:L/S:C/AV:N/E:H/RL:O/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
IBMSterling File Gateway2.2.0.0, 6.1.0.3Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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