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CVE Record

CVE-2021-20532: IBM Spectrum Protect Client 8.1.0.0 through 8.1.11.0 could allow a local user to escalate their privileges...

IBM Spectrum Protect Client 8.1.0.0 through 8.1.11.0 could allow a local user to escalate their privileges to take full control of the system due to insecure directory permissions. IBM X-Force ID: 198811.

HighCVSS 7.4Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2021-20532 is a local privilege escalation issue in IBM Spectrum Protect Client versions 8.1.0.0 through 8.1.11.0. A person with local access could potentially gain full control of the affected system because of insecure directory permissions.

Executive priority

Treat this as high priority where affected backup clients run on critical servers. It is not internet-remote based on the provided evidence, but backup infrastructure compromise can materially affect recovery, integrity, and operations.

Technical view

The CVE describes insecure directory permissions allowing local privilege escalation with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. The source bundle lists CVSS 3.0 score 7.4, AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Product naming differs between the description and affected entry, so confirm exact IBM component inventory.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on systems where IBM Spectrum Protect Client 8.1.0.0 through 8.1.11.0 is installed. The affected entry also references Spectrum Protect for Virtual Environments; validate both names in asset and software inventories.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. Exploitation requires local access and high attack complexity, but successful exploitation could provide full system control.

Researcher notes

Key uncertainty is product naming: the CVE text names IBM Spectrum Protect Client, while the affected bundle entry names Spectrum Protect for Virtual Environments. Use IBM’s advisory and X-Force entry to resolve exact component mapping before scoping broadly.

Mitigation direction

  • Review IBM advisory for the fixed level or vendor-approved remediation.
  • Prioritize remediation on servers handling backup, restore, or privileged operational workflows.
  • Limit local user access on systems running affected IBM Spectrum Protect components.
  • Monitor IBM X-Force and IBM support pages for updated guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory hosts for IBM Spectrum Protect Client versions 8.1.0.0 through 8.1.11.0.
  • Check whether Spectrum Protect for Virtual Environments components are also present.
  • Review local directory permissions against IBM’s advisory guidance.
  • Confirm remediation status through package/version records and change tickets.
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-2021-20532 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
High
CVSS
7.4 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AC:H/PR:N/C:H/UI:N/I:H/S:U/A:H/AV:L/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
7.4CVSS 3.0HighCVSS:3.0/AC:H/PR:N/C:H/UI:N/I:H/S:U/A:H/AV:L/E:U/RL:O/RC:C1.45.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

7.4High
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-20532Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AC:H/PR:N/C:H/UI:N/I:H/S:U/A:H/AV:L/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
IBMSpectrum Protect for Virtual Environments8.1.0.0, 8.1.11.0Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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