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CVE Record

CVE-2021-38876: IBM i 7.2, 7.3, and 7.4 is vulnerable to cross-site scripting.

IBM i 7.2, 7.3, and 7.4 is vulnerable to cross-site scripting. This vulnerability allows users to embed arbitrary JavaScript code in the Web UI thus altering the intended functionality potentially leading to credentials disclosure within a trusted session. IBM X-Force ID: 208404.

MediumCVSS 6.1Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

IBM i 7.2, 7.3, and 7.4 have a Web UI cross-site scripting flaw. A targeted user could be induced to interact with malicious content that runs JavaScript inside a trusted session, potentially exposing credentials or changing page behavior.

Executive priority

Treat as a medium business risk, higher for internet-exposed or administrator-used Web UI. Schedule remediation through normal vulnerability management, with faster handling for sensitive IBM i environments.

Technical view

CVE-2021-38876 is a network-reachable XSS issue in IBM i Web UI with low attack complexity, no privileges required, and required user interaction. The CVSS 3.0 score is 6.1 with changed scope and low confidentiality and integrity impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant where IBM i 7.2, 7.3, or 7.4 Web UI is reachable by users or administrators, including internal-only portals that are treated as trusted.

Exploitation context

The provided bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited active exploitation. The supplied CVSS vector marks exploit maturity high, but that is not the same as confirmed active exploitation.

Researcher notes

Sources do not provide a CWE, specific parameter, exploit procedure, or fixed PTF detail in the bundle. Validation should stay focused on version exposure, Web UI reachability, advisory status, and safe evidence collection.

Mitigation direction

  • Check IBM advisory 6537250 for official remediation or PTF guidance.
  • Prioritize systems where IBM i Web UI is reachable by administrators.
  • Restrict Web UI access to trusted networks and authenticated users where feasible.
  • Review IBM X-Force entry 208404 for vendor tracking details.
  • Educate administrators to avoid untrusted links while remediation is pending.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory IBM i systems and confirm versions 7.2, 7.3, or 7.4.
  • Identify all exposed IBM i Web UI endpoints and access paths.
  • Confirm whether IBM advisory remediation has been applied.
  • Review Web UI logs for unusual script injection indicators.
  • Verify compensating access controls around administrative Web UI use.
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-2021-38876 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
Medium
CVSS
6.1 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

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
6.1CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/S:C/PR:N/C:L/I:L/UI:R/A:N/AC:L/AV:N/RC:C/RL:O/E:H2.82.7Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

6.1Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-38876Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

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
IBMi7.2, 7.3, 7.4Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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