LiveActive security incident?Get immediate response
CVE Record

CVE-2021-20492: IBM WebSphere Application Server 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, and Liberty Java Batch is vulnerable to an XML External Ent...

IBM WebSphere Application Server 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, and Liberty Java Batch is vulnerable to an XML External Entity Injection (XXE) attack when processing XML data. A remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to expose sensitive information or consume memory resources. IBM X-Force ID: 197793.

MediumCVSS 6.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
Discuss exposureBack to CVEs
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This vulnerability affects IBM WebSphere Application Server and Liberty Java Batch XML processing. A remote attacker could abuse unsafe XML handling to expose sensitive information or consume memory. The CVSS score is medium, but confidentiality impact is high, so internet-facing or business-critical Java Batch deployments deserve prompt review.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted remediation item, not an emergency absent exploitation evidence. Prioritize systems handling sensitive data, internet-facing workloads, or shared application infrastructure because the stated impact includes sensitive information exposure.

Technical view

CVE-2021-20492 is an XML External Entity Injection issue in IBM WebSphere Application Server 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, and Liberty Java Batch. The CVSS 3.0 vector is AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:L, indicating remote unauthenticated reachability, high attack complexity, high confidentiality impact, and low availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely where affected WebSphere or Liberty Java Batch components process XML data, especially on network-reachable application servers. The source bundle does not identify specific vulnerable endpoints, configurations, or deployment patterns beyond Java Batch XML processing.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not cite active exploitation, and KEV status is false. IBM and CVE sources describe possible remote exploitation, but the CVSS vector marks attack complexity high and exploit maturity unproven.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to IBM, X-Force, and CVE metadata. No CWE is listed in the bundle, but the description clearly identifies XXE. The bundle does not provide exploit details, affected fix packs, detection signatures, or confirmed attack reports.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify WebSphere 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, and Liberty Java Batch deployments.
  • Consult IBM advisory 6456017 for fixed levels or interim fixes.
  • Apply IBM-recommended remediation for the exact installed version.
  • Restrict network access to Java Batch interfaces where operationally possible.
  • Reduce XML processing exposure until vendor guidance is applied.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm whether Java Batch is installed, enabled, and processing XML data.
  • Map all affected servers, versions, and externally reachable interfaces.
  • Verify patch status against IBM advisory 6456017 and X-Force 197793.
  • Review logs for unusual XML processing errors or memory pressure.
  • Use approved vulnerability scanner checks tied to CVE-2021-20492.
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

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2021-20492 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

Open ATT&CK lookup
Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
6.5 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/S:U/C:H/A:L/I:N/AC:H/PR:N/AV:N/UI:N/E:U/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
6.5CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/S:U/C:H/A:L/I:N/AC:H/PR:N/AV:N/UI:N/E:U/RL:O/RC:C2.24.2Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

6.5Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-20492Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/S:U/C:H/A:L/I:N/AC:H/PR:N/AV:N/UI:N/E:U/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
IBMWebSphere Application Server8.0, 8.5, 9.0, LibertyListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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