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CVE Record

CVE-2021-20497: IBM Security Verify Access Docker 10.0.0 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could allo...

IBM Security Verify Access Docker 10.0.0 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could allow an attacker to decrypt highly sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 197969

MediumCVSS 5.9Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

IBM Security Verify Access Docker 10.0.0 used weaker cryptography than expected, creating a risk that an attacker could decrypt highly sensitive information. The published severity is medium because exploitation requires high attack complexity, but confidentiality impact is high if the vulnerable deployment protects valuable secrets or identity data.

Executive priority

Prioritize remediation for any internet-exposed or identity-critical deployment running version 10.0.0. The issue is not rated critical, but it concerns confidentiality of sensitive information, so business urgency depends on whether the affected Docker deployment protects secrets, identity data, or regulated records.

Technical view

CVE-2021-20497 affects IBM Security Verify Access Docker version 10.0.0. The CVSS 3.0 score is 5.9 with network attack vector, no privileges, no user interaction, high attack complexity, and high confidentiality impact only. IBM X-Force tracks it as ID 197969.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to organizations running IBM Security Verify Access Docker 10.0.0. The bundle does not identify other versions, products, or deployment modes as affected.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not report active exploitation, and this CVE is not listed as KEV. Treat exploitation status as unconfirmed rather than absent. The stated impact is potential decryption of highly sensitive information.

Researcher notes

Evidence is concise and vendor-centered. No CWE is provided in the bundle. The CVSS vector indicates high attack complexity and confidentiality-only impact. Do not broaden affected scope beyond IBM Security Verify Access Docker 10.0.0 without additional vendor evidence.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory IBM Security Verify Access Docker deployments for version 10.0.0.
  • Review IBM advisory node 6471895 and X-Force ID 197969.
  • Apply IBM-provided remediation or upgrade guidance where applicable.
  • Restrict network exposure for affected deployments while remediation is planned.
  • Assess whether protected sensitive data requires rekeying or rotation after remediation.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm deployed container image and product version are IBM Security Verify Access Docker 10.0.0.
  • Map what sensitive information the affected deployment encrypted or protected.
  • Verify remediation status against IBM’s advisory and X-Force entry.
  • Document compensating controls if immediate remediation is not possible.
  • Track this CVE separately from unrelated IBM Verify Access issues.
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.

description · low confidence lookup

Container behavior lookup

The affected technology mentions containers, so container-specific ATT&CK technique review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2021-20497 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
5.9 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/PR:N/C:H/UI:N/I:N/S:U/AC:H/AV:N/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
5.9CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/PR:N/C:H/UI:N/I:N/S:U/AC:H/AV:N/A:N/RC:C/RL:O/E:U2.23.6Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

5.9Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-20497Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/PR:N/C:H/UI:N/I:N/S:U/AC:H/AV:N/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
IBMSecurity Verify Access Docker10.0.0Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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