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CVE-2021-29781: IBM Partner Engagement Manager 2.0 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, c...

IBM Partner Engagement Manager 2.0 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by an unsafe deserialization flaw. By sending specially-crafted data, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the system. IBM X-Force ID: 203091.

CriticalCVSS 9.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysiscritical

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

IBM Partner Engagement Manager 2.0 has a critical flaw that can let a remote attacker run code on the affected system. The issue is unsafe deserialization: the system may process hostile data as trusted objects. Business urgency is high where this product is deployed, especially if reachable from untrusted networks.

Executive priority

Treat as urgent for any confirmed IBM Partner Engagement Manager 2.0 deployment. Remote code execution with no privileges required can threaten business systems and data. If the product is not present, document non-exposure and close the item.

Technical view

CVE-2021-29781 affects IBM Partner Engagement Manager 2.0. IBM describes unsafe deserialization allowing arbitrary code execution via specially crafted data. The CVSS 3.0 score is 9.8, with network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to organizations running IBM Partner Engagement Manager 2.0. Risk increases if its interfaces are reachable from the internet, partner networks, or other untrusted segments. The provided sources do not identify other affected versions or products.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. IBM states that specially crafted data can trigger arbitrary code execution, but the provided evidence does not include exploit availability or observed attacks.

Researcher notes

The evidence is strong on affected product, root cause, and impact because it comes from CVE and IBM/X-Force references. Details are incomplete on exact fixed versions, workaround language, CWE mapping, and exploit status, so validation should stay tied to IBM advisory content.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify any IBM Partner Engagement Manager 2.0 deployments.
  • Review IBM advisory 6476668 for vendor remediation or upgrade guidance.
  • Prioritize remediation for internet-facing or partner-facing deployments.
  • Restrict network access to trusted administrative and integration paths.
  • Monitor affected systems closely until vendor guidance is applied.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm product name and version in asset inventory.
  • Check whether IBM Partner Engagement Manager 2.0 is externally reachable.
  • Compare installed build and remediation status against IBM guidance.
  • Review relevant logs for suspicious deserialization errors or unexpected execution indicators.
  • Document compensating controls where remediation is delayed.
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-2021-29781 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
Critical
CVSS
9.8 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/UI:N/A:H/I:H/PR:N/AV:N/S:U/AC:L/C: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
9.8CVSS 3.0CriticalCVSS:3.0/UI:N/A:H/I:H/PR:N/AV:N/S:U/AC:L/C:H/RL:O/RC:C/E:U3.95.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

9.8Critical
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-29781Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/UI:N/A:H/I:H/PR:N/AV:N/S:U/AC:L/C: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
IBMPartner Engagement Manager2.0Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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