Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This issue affects IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7, specifically the Data Flow Designer Engine. The component may not properly validate a REST API server certificate, creating a confidentiality risk if an attacker can intercept or manipulate network communications. The published severity is medium, but confidentiality impact is rated high.
Executive priority
Treat this as a targeted medium-priority remediation item for environments using IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7. It is not supported as actively exploited by the provided evidence, but it can expose sensitive data if network interception is feasible.
Technical view
CVE-2021-29737 is an improper REST API server certificate validation flaw in IBM InfoSphere Data Flow Designer Engine for IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7. CVSS 3.0 is 5.9 with network attack vector, high attack complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, and high confidentiality impact only.
Likely exposure
Exposure appears limited to organizations running IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7 with the affected Data Flow Designer Engine component. The source bundle does not identify other affected versions, CPEs, or deployment-specific exposure conditions.
Exploitation context
The CVE is not listed as KEV in the provided bundle, and the CVSS exploit maturity is unproven. No cited source in the bundle states active exploitation or provides public exploit evidence.
Researcher notes
Key gaps: the bundle provides no CWE, no CPEs, no exploit details, and no named fixed version. The CVSS vector indicates confidentiality-only impact with high attack complexity. Use IBM bulletin and X-Force entry as authoritative references for remediation specifics.
Mitigation direction
- Review IBM security bulletin 6509086 for the official remediation applicable to version 11.7.
- Apply IBM-provided fixes or configuration guidance; do not rely on inferred patch versions.
- Ensure REST API server certificates chain to trusted authorities and are not bypassed.
- Limit network access to InfoSphere administrative and engine interfaces where operationally feasible.
Validation and detection
- Inventory IBM InfoSphere Information Server instances and confirm any version 11.7 deployments.
- Check whether the Data Flow Designer Engine component is installed or used.
- Verify remediation status against IBM bulletin 6509086 and X-Force ID 201301.
- Review certificate trust configuration for REST API server connections.
- Confirm vulnerability management records track CVE-2021-29737 for affected assets.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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-2021-29737 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 5.9 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/S:U/AV:N/I:N/PR:N/UI:N/C:H/A:N/AC:H/RC:C/E:U/RL:O
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.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe 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.
CVSS:3.0/S:U/AV:N/I:N/PR:N/UI:N/C:H/A:N/AC:H/RC:C/E:U/RL:O2.23.6Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
5.9MediumVector: CVSS:3.0/S:U/AV:N/I:N/PR:N/UI:N/C:H/A:N/AC:H/RC:C/E:U/RL:O
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6509086CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- ibm-infosphere-cve202129737-info-disc (201301)CVE reference · vdb-entry, x_refsource_XF
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.