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CVE Record

CVE-2021-20508: IBM Security Secret Server up to 11.0 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information when a...

IBM Security Secret Server up to 11.0 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: 199322.

LowCVSS 2.7Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysislow

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

IBM Security Secret Server can expose sensitive details through overly detailed browser error messages. The issue is low severity because exploitation requires high privileges and only limited confidentiality impact is documented, but leaked technical details can help an attacker plan follow-on activity.

Executive priority

Treat this as a low-priority hygiene issue unless Secret Server is internet-exposed or broadly accessible to privileged users. Remediate through normal patch and configuration cycles.

Technical view

CVE-2021-20508 is an information disclosure flaw in IBM Security Secret Server. The CVSS 3.0 vector is AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N, score 2.7. The documented behavior is disclosure via detailed technical error messages returned in the browser.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to organizations running IBM Security Secret Server, with the bundle naming version 10.0 and the title stating up to 11.0.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. IBM X-Force lists exploit maturity as unproven, and the CVSS vector requires high privileges.

Researcher notes

The bundle contains a version ambiguity: affected data names version 10.0, while the title says up to 11.0. No CWE is listed. Validate against IBM’s advisory before scoping assets.

Mitigation direction

  • Review IBM’s advisory for the listed fix or supported upgrade path.
  • Reduce detailed browser error output where vendor configuration guidance permits.
  • Restrict access to Secret Server administrative and privileged interfaces.
  • Monitor for unusual authenticated access and repeated error-triggering activity.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory IBM Security Secret Server deployments and record exact versions.
  • Compare deployed versions against IBM advisory coverage.
  • Check whether detailed technical errors are exposed to authenticated browser users.
  • Review logs for repeated authenticated error conditions or probing.
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

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

Credential and access behavior lookup

The CVE wording references authentication or credential exposure, so valid-account and credential-access 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-2021-20508 mapping review

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

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Low
CVSS
2.7 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/UI:N/AC:L/A:N/PR:H/AV:N/S:U/I:N/C:L/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
2.7CVSS 3.0LowCVSS:3.0/UI:N/AC:L/A:N/PR:H/AV:N/S:U/I:N/C:L/RC:C/RL:O/E:U1.21.4Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

2.7Low
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-20508Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/UI:N/AC:L/A:N/PR:H/AV:N/S:U/I:N/C:L/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 Secret Server10.0Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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