Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
McAfee Database Security (DBSec) before 4.8.2 could let a logged-in remote user retrieve signed SQL scripts that administrators had marked deleted or expired. The issue is limited to the REST API, but exposed scripts may reveal sensitive database logic or enable unauthorized reuse of signed content.
Executive priority
Treat as a moderate-priority remediation for environments using McAfee DBSec. It is not reported as actively exploited, but affected systems may expose signed database scripts that administrators intended to remove or expire.
Technical view
CVE-2021-31831 is an incorrect access-to-deleted-files issue mapped to CWE-552. In DBSec prior to 4.8.2, the REST API allowed remote authenticated access to signed SQL scripts marked deleted or expired in the administrative console. CVSS 3.1 score is 4.9.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely where McAfee DBSec is deployed below version 4.8.2 and its REST API is reachable by authenticated users. The source bundle does not identify specific vulnerable builds beyond versions prior to 4.8.2.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not indicate CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. Abuse requires authenticated access and is described as REST API-only. CVSS records low confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to the CVE record and McAfee advisory reference. The affected product is DBSec prior to 4.8.2; the bundle does not provide exploit details, complete version ranges, or observed exploitation data.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade McAfee Database Security to 4.8.2 or later if deployed.
- Review McAfee advisory SB10359 for vendor-specific update guidance.
- Limit REST API access to trusted administrative networks and accounts.
- Review access controls for users allowed to reach DBSec administrative APIs.
Validation and detection
- Inventory McAfee DBSec deployments and record installed versions.
- Confirm whether any instance is below version 4.8.2.
- Check whether the DBSec REST API is reachable by non-administrative authenticated users.
- Review logs for access to deleted or expired signed SQL scripts.
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.
CWE-552: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupDatabase behavior lookup
The CVE wording references database injection or access, so collection and exfiltration review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-31831 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
- 4.9 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
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:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L1.53.4Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
4.9MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10359CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
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.
Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties
Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.