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CVE Record

CVE-2021-38887: IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7 could allow an authenticated user to obtain sensitive information fr...

IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7 could allow an authenticated user to obtain sensitive information from application response requests that could be used in further attacks against the system. IBM X-Force ID: 209401.

MediumCVSS 4.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is an authenticated information disclosure issue in IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7. A logged-in user could obtain sensitive information from application responses, potentially supporting later attacks. The public bundle does not show active exploitation or name other affected versions.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted remediation item for IBM InfoSphere environments, not an internet-wide emergency. Prioritize if InfoSphere 11.7 supports sensitive data workflows or broad internal user access.

Technical view

CVE-2021-38887 affects IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7. The CVSS 3.0 vector is 4.3 medium, network-accessible, low complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, and low confidentiality impact only. IBM X-Force tracks it as ID 209401.

Likely exposure

Organizations running IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7, especially deployments reachable over a network by authenticated users. The provided sources do not identify other affected versions or products.

Exploitation context

The evidence supports authenticated exploitation only: PR:L and UI:N. The CVE is not listed as KEV in the bundle, and no cited source claims active exploitation.

Researcher notes

The source bundle does not provide CWE classification, exploit details, or exact exposed response fields. Assessment should stay focused on authenticated confidentiality exposure in IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7 and vendor-documented remediation.

Mitigation direction

  • Review IBM advisory 6510178 for CVE-2021-38887 and apply its documented remediation.
  • Confirm IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7 instances are updated to IBM-supported fixed levels.
  • Restrict InfoSphere access to trusted users and trusted networks.
  • Review responses and logs for unintended sensitive data disclosure.
  • Monitor IBM X-Force entry 209401 for updated vendor guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory IBM InfoSphere Information Server deployments and confirm exact versions.
  • Identify any remaining 11.7 instances in production or exposed environments.
  • Check whether ordinary authenticated roles can view unintended sensitive response data.
  • Verify remediation status against IBM advisory and X-Force records.
  • Confirm access controls limit low-privilege authenticated users appropriately.
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

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CVE-2021-38887 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
4.3 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AC:L/I:N/AV:N/S:U/PR:L/UI:N/A:N/C:L/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
4.3CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/AC:L/I:N/AV:N/S:U/PR:L/UI:N/A:N/C:L/RL:O/E:U/RC:C2.81.4Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

4.3Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-38887Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AC:L/I:N/AV:N/S:U/PR:L/UI:N/A:N/C:L/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
IBMInfoSphere Information Server11.7Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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