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CVE Record

CVE-2021-29801: IBM AIX 7.1, 7.2, and VIOS 3.1 could allow a non-privileged local user to exploit a vulnerability in the ke...

IBM AIX 7.1, 7.2, and VIOS 3.1 could allow a non-privileged local user to exploit a vulnerability in the kernel to gain root privileges. IBM X-Force ID: 203977.

HighCVSS 8.4Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2021-29801 is a local privilege escalation flaw in IBM AIX and VIOS. A non-privileged local user could exploit a kernel vulnerability to gain root privileges, giving full control of the affected system.

Executive priority

Treat this as high priority for AIX and VIOS estates, especially multi-user or business-critical systems. The vulnerability can convert local access into root control, which can materially affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Technical view

IBM describes a kernel vulnerability affecting AIX 7.1, AIX 7.2, and VIOS 3.1. The CVSS 3.0 score is 8.4 with local attack vector, low complexity, no user interaction, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to IBM AIX 7.1, AIX 7.2, and VIOS 3.1 systems where a local user or process can execute code. Internet exposure alone is not enough; local access is required.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. The risk is serious because local access can become root, but exploitation status should be treated as unconfirmed from this bundle.

Researcher notes

Evidence supports a kernel-level local privilege escalation with high impact and low complexity. The bundle does not include exploit details, CWE mapping, or specific fixed levels, so validation should anchor to IBM’s advisory and X-Force entry.

Mitigation direction

  • Review IBM advisory node 6483875 for official remediation guidance.
  • Apply IBM-recommended fixes or interim fixes where applicable.
  • Prioritize systems with shared shell access or untrusted local users.
  • Limit local interactive access until remediation is complete.
  • Monitor affected hosts for unexpected root-level activity.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory systems running AIX 7.1, AIX 7.2, or VIOS 3.1.
  • Map installed maintenance levels against IBM advisory guidance.
  • Confirm vulnerability management records reference IBM X-Force ID 203977.
  • Check whether local user access exists on affected hosts.
  • Verify remediation status after applying vendor guidance.
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-2021-29801 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/AV:L/UI:N/I:H/AC:L/C:H/S:U/A:H/PR:N/RC:C/E:U/RL:O

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/AV:L/UI:N/I:H/AC:L/C:H/S:U/A:H/PR:N/RC:C/E:U/RL:O2.55.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

8.4High
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-29801Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/UI:N/I:H/AC:L/C:H/S:U/A:H/PR:N/RC:C/E:U/RL:O

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
IBMVIOS3.1Listed
IBMAIX7.1, 7.2Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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