LiveActive security incident?Get immediate response
CVE Record

CVE-2021-20579: IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows (includes Db2 Connect Server) 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, 11.1, and 11.5 could all...

IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows (includes Db2 Connect Server) 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, 11.1, and 11.5 could allow a user who can create a view or inline SQL function to obtain sensitive information when AUTO_REVAL is set to DEFFERED_FORCE. IBM X-Force ID: 199283.

MediumCVSS 5.9Not KEV-listedUpdated
Discuss exposureBack to CVEs
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This IBM Db2 issue can let a capable database user read sensitive information under a specific AUTO_REVAL setting. It is not listed in CISA KEV, and the provided sources do not show active exploitation. Business urgency is moderate where affected Db2 versions still support sensitive data workloads.

Executive priority

Treat as a moderate confidentiality risk. Prioritize systems containing sensitive data or broad database-user access. Do not treat as emergency exploitation unless new vendor, KEV, or incident evidence emerges.

Technical view

Affected IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows, including Db2 Connect Server, versions 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, 11.1, and 11.5. Exposure depends on AUTO_REVAL being set to DEFFERED_FORCE and a user being able to create a view or inline SQL function. CVSS 3.0 score is 5.9 with high confidentiality impact.

Likely exposure

Most likely exposure is legacy or unpatched Db2 LUW deployments with sensitive data, permissive object-creation privileges, and the named AUTO_REVAL configuration. Internet reachability is less important than database access and privilege configuration.

Exploitation context

The source bundle reports no KEV listing and no cited evidence of active exploitation. The CVSS vector indicates high attack complexity and confidentiality-only impact. Evidence is insufficient to claim exploit availability or exploitation in the wild.

Researcher notes

The key exposure condition is configuration plus object-creation capability. The bundle does not provide exploit mechanics, patch identifiers, or detailed affected fix levels. Use IBM X-Force ID 199283 and IBM advisory 6466369 for deeper verification.

Mitigation direction

  • Review IBM advisory 6466369 for fixed levels and vendor remediation guidance.
  • Inventory affected Db2 LUW and Db2 Connect Server versions.
  • Check whether AUTO_REVAL is set to DEFFERED_FORCE.
  • Restrict CREATE VIEW and inline SQL function privileges to trusted users.
  • Prioritize patching databases that store regulated or sensitive information.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm Db2 product version against 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, 11.1, and 11.5.
  • Review database configuration for the AUTO_REVAL setting.
  • Audit users and roles allowed to create views or inline SQL functions.
  • Check change records for IBM fix pack or advisory remediation status.
  • Review database access logs for unusual metadata or object-creation activity.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

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-2021-20579 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/AV:N/PR:N/AC:H/S:U/C:H/UI:N/A:N/I:N/E:U/RC:C/RL:O

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
4Source 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/AV:N/PR:N/AC:H/S:U/C:H/UI:N/A:N/I:N/E:U/RC:C/RL:O2.23.6Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

5.9Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-20579Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

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
IBMDB2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows10.5, 10.1, 9.7, 11.1, 11.5Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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