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CVE Record

CVE-2021-20485: IBM Sterling File Gateway 2.2.0.0 through 6.1.0.3 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive informa...

IBM Sterling File Gateway 2.2.0.0 through 6.1.0.3 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: 197667.

MediumCVSS 4.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

IBM Sterling File Gateway can expose detailed technical error information in a browser. On its own, this is a limited confidentiality issue, but it can reveal system details that make later attacks easier. The provided sources do not indicate active exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat this as a remediation-track issue, not an emergency, unless the gateway is externally exposed or handles sensitive partner transfers. Prioritize confirmation and vendor remediation during the next maintenance cycle.

Technical view

CVE-2021-20485 affects IBM Sterling File Gateway 2.2.0.0 through 6.1.0.3. A remote attacker with low privileges can trigger browser-visible technical error details. CVSS 3.0 score is 4.3, with network access, low complexity, no user interaction, and low confidentiality impact.

Likely exposure

Organizations running IBM Sterling File Gateway versions 2.2.0.0 through 6.1.0.3 are in scope, especially internet- or partner-facing deployments. Exposure appears limited to attackers with low privileges, based on the CVSS vector.

Exploitation context

The CVE is not listed as KEV in the provided bundle, and the CVSS exploit maturity is unproven. The main concern is reconnaissance: disclosed technical details could help an attacker plan follow-on activity against the gateway or environment.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to CVE, IBM advisory references, X-Force ID 197667, and CVSS metadata. No CWE is listed in the bundle. Do not assume unauthenticated exploitation, public exploit availability, or a specific fixed version beyond IBM guidance.

Mitigation direction

  • Review IBM advisory 6491645 for official remediation guidance.
  • Upgrade or apply IBM-provided fixes for affected Sterling File Gateway versions.
  • Reduce browser-visible technical error detail in production where supported.
  • Restrict gateway access to trusted users, partners, and networks.
  • Monitor for unusual error patterns or repeated failed requests.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Sterling File Gateway versions across production and partner-facing environments.
  • Confirm whether any instance runs 2.2.0.0 through 6.1.0.3.
  • Verify IBM advisory guidance has been applied to affected instances.
  • Check whether technical error details are exposed to low-privileged users.
  • Review logs for repeated requests causing detailed browser errors.
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-2021-20485 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/PR:L/AV:N/S:U/I:N/C:L/UI:N/AC:L/A:N/RC:C/RL:O/E:U

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/PR:L/AV:N/S:U/I:N/C:L/UI:N/AC:L/A:N/RC:C/RL:O/E:U2.81.4Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

4.3Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-20485Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

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

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