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CVE-2021-29727: IBM AIX 7.1, 7.2, and VIOS 3.1 could allow a local user to exploit a vulnerability in the AIX kernel to cau...

IBM AIX 7.1, 7.2, and VIOS 3.1 could allow a local user to exploit a vulnerability in the AIX kernel to cause a denial of service. IBM X-Force ID: 201106.

MediumCVSS 6.2Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a local denial-of-service issue in the IBM AIX kernel. A local user could trigger a crash or service disruption on affected AIX or VIOS systems. It does not indicate data theft or remote takeover, but it can affect availability of critical IBM Power workloads.

Executive priority

Schedule remediation through normal vulnerability management, with faster handling for production AIX or VIOS systems supporting critical workloads. This is not evidenced as actively exploited, but availability disruption on legacy IBM infrastructure can create business impact.

Technical view

CVE-2021-29727 affects IBM AIX 7.1, AIX 7.2, and VIOS 3.1. The CVSS 3.0 score is 6.2 with local attack vector, low complexity, no user interaction, and high availability impact. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are listed as none.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to environments still running IBM AIX 7.1, AIX 7.2, or VIOS 3.1. The attacker needs local access, so internet-facing exposure is not the primary concern. Shared shell access, administrative jump paths, and compromised local accounts increase relevance.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. IBM X-Force lists exploit maturity as unproven in the CVSS vector. Treat this mainly as an availability risk from insiders or attackers who already gained local access.

Researcher notes

Sources identify a local AIX kernel denial-of-service with IBM X-Force ID 201106. No CWE is provided in the bundle, and no technical root cause details are included. Avoid assuming broader IBM products or remote exploitability without vendor confirmation.

Mitigation direction

  • Review IBM advisory node 6483875 for supported fixes or interim guidance.
  • Apply IBM-provided AIX and VIOS updates for affected versions.
  • Prioritize systems supporting critical production workloads or virtualization infrastructure.
  • Reduce unnecessary local access on affected AIX and VIOS hosts.
  • Monitor IBM support and X-Force entry 201106 for revised guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory systems running IBM AIX 7.1, AIX 7.2, or VIOS 3.1.
  • Confirm current patch or technology level against IBM advisory node 6483875.
  • Verify whether VIOS hosts are included in virtualization dependency maps.
  • Review local account access on affected hosts for unnecessary users.
  • Check change records for IBM fixes applied after August 26, 2021.
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

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CVE-2021-29727 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
6.2 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/I:N/C:N/AC:L/AV:L/UI:N/A:H/PR:N/S:U/RL:O/E:U/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
6.2CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/I:N/C:N/AC:L/AV:L/UI:N/A:H/PR:N/S:U/RL:O/E:U/RC:C2.53.6Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

6.2Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-29727Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/I:N/C:N/AC:L/AV:L/UI:N/A:H/PR:N/S:U/RL:O/E:U/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
IBMAIX7.1, 7.2Listed
IBMVIOS3.1Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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