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CVE-2021-29708: IBM Spectrum Scale 5.1.0.1 could allow a local with access to the GUI pod container to obtain sensitive cry...

IBM Spectrum Scale 5.1.0.1 could allow a local with access to the GUI pod container to obtain sensitive cryptographic keys that could allow them to elevate their privileges. IBM X-Force ID: 200883.

MediumCVSS 6.7Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a local privilege-escalation risk in IBM Spectrum Scale 5.1.0.1. A person who already has access to the GUI pod container could obtain sensitive cryptographic keys and use that access to raise privileges. It is not described as remotely exploitable.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted remediation item, not an internet-wide emergency. Prioritize if IBM Spectrum Scale 5.1.0.1 is in production or if container access is broadly delegated, because key exposure can create serious downstream privilege risk.

Technical view

CVE-2021-29708 affects IBM Spectrum Scale 5.1.0.1. The CVSS 3.0 vector is local, low complexity, no user interaction, high privileges required, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. IBM X-Force tracks it as ID 200883. No CWE is listed in the provided sources.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely limited to environments running IBM Spectrum Scale 5.1.0.1 where users or processes can access the GUI pod container. Systems not using that version, or without such local/container access, are not identified as affected in the provided sources.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. CVSS exploit maturity is marked unproven. The attacker model requires local access and high privileges, but successful misuse could expose cryptographic keys and enable privilege escalation.

Researcher notes

The provided evidence identifies one affected product version and a local, high-privilege attack path. It does not provide exploit details, CWE classification, or explicit mitigation text beyond official IBM references. Avoid expanding scope beyond IBM Spectrum Scale 5.1.0.1 without vendor confirmation.

Mitigation direction

  • Check IBM advisory 6455629 for the official fix or upgrade guidance.
  • Inventory IBM Spectrum Scale deployments and flag version 5.1.0.1.
  • Restrict and review access to the GUI pod container.
  • Rotate exposed cryptographic keys if container access may have been compromised.
  • Monitor IBM X-Force ID 200883 for updated vendor guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm whether IBM Spectrum Scale 5.1.0.1 is deployed.
  • Identify users and service accounts with GUI pod container access.
  • Review container access logs for unusual privileged activity.
  • Verify remediation status against IBM advisory 6455629.
  • Check whether sensitive keys were accessed or copied.
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

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-2021-29708 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
Medium
CVSS
6.7 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AC:L/UI:N/S:U/AV:L/A:H/C:H/I:H/PR:H/RL:O/RC:C/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
6.7CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/AC:L/UI:N/S:U/AV:L/A:H/C:H/I:H/PR:H/RL:O/RC:C/E:U0.85.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

6.7Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-29708Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AC:L/UI:N/S:U/AV:L/A:H/C:H/I:H/PR:H/RL:O/RC:C/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
IBMSpectrum Scale5.1.0.1Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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