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CVE Record

CVE-2021-29740: IBM Spectrum Scale 5.0.0 through 5.0.5.6 and 5.1.0 through 5.1.0.3 system core component is affected by a f...

IBM Spectrum Scale 5.0.0 through 5.0.5.6 and 5.1.0 through 5.1.0.3 system core component is affected by a format string security vulnerability. An attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of process memory, potentially escalating their system privileges and taking control over the entire system with root access. IBM X-Force ID: 201474.

HighCVSS 8.4Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This flaw affects specific IBM Spectrum Scale versions and could let an attacker gain root-level control after local interaction with the system. The business concern is loss of control over critical storage infrastructure, not confirmed internet-scale exploitation.

Executive priority

High priority for organizations running affected IBM Spectrum Scale versions, especially where storage systems support critical workloads. The vulnerability is local, but root-level impact makes delayed remediation risky if untrusted users or compromised accounts can reach affected hosts.

Technical view

CVE-2021-29740 is a format string vulnerability in the IBM Spectrum Scale system core component. The CVSS vector is local, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. IBM states arbitrary code execution in process memory could escalate to root.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to IBM Spectrum Scale 5.0.0 through 5.0.5.6 and 5.1.0 through 5.1.0.3 deployments. The CVSS vector is local, so exposure depends on who can access affected systems locally or through equivalent authenticated operational paths.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing, active exploitation, or confirmed public exploit use. CVSS temporal data lists exploit maturity as unproven. Treat this as serious because successful exploitation could reach root, but do not assume active exploitation from the provided evidence.

Researcher notes

Key constraints are AV:L, AC:L, PR:N, UI:N, S:U, with high CIA impact. The bundle identifies the bug class and affected ranges but does not include detailed patch levels, exploit artifacts, or workaround specifics. Use IBM sources for fix confirmation.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory IBM Spectrum Scale versions across all clusters and nodes.
  • Review IBM advisory and X-Force entry for official fixed levels or mitigations.
  • Prioritize upgrade or remediation for affected production storage systems.
  • Restrict local system access to trusted administrators only.
  • Monitor affected hosts for unexpected privilege changes or process crashes.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm installed Spectrum Scale versions are outside affected ranges.
  • Verify every node in a cluster has been assessed, not only management nodes.
  • Check vendor advisory status before accepting compensating controls.
  • Review access logs for unusual local or administrative activity.
  • Document remediation evidence for vulnerability management tracking.
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

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. 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-2021-29740 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
8.4 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/I:H/S:U/AC:L/A:H/PR:N/C:H/AV:L/UI:N/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
8.4CVSS 3.0HighCVSS:3.0/I:H/S:U/AC:L/A:H/PR:N/C:H/AV:L/UI:N/RL:O/E:U/RC:C2.55.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

8.4High
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-29740Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/I:H/S:U/AC:L/A:H/PR:N/C:H/AV:L/UI:N/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
IBMSpectrum Scale5.0.0, 5.1.0, 5.0.5.6, 5.1.0.3Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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