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CVE Record

CVE-2021-38931: IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows (includes DB2 Connect Server) 11.1, and 11.5 is vulnerable to an inform...

IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows (includes DB2 Connect Server) 11.1, and 11.5 is vulnerable to an information disclosure as a result of a connected user having indirect read access to a table where they are not authorized to select from. IBM X-Force ID: 210418.

MediumCVSS 6.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2021-38931 is an IBM Db2 information disclosure issue. A connected, low-privileged user may indirectly read table data they are not authorized to select. The business risk is unauthorized exposure of sensitive database records, not system takeover or service disruption.

Executive priority

Treat this as a confidentiality risk for databases containing sensitive records. Prioritize internet-reachable, shared, or high-value Db2 environments, but do not treat it as a confirmed active-exploitation emergency from the provided sources.

Technical view

IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows, including DB2 Connect Server 11.1 and 11.5, has an information disclosure flaw. The CVSS 3.0 vector is AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, meaning authenticated network access is required and confidentiality is the affected security property.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely where IBM Db2 LUW or DB2 Connect Server 11.1 or 11.5 is deployed and reachable by authenticated database users. Systems with sensitive tables and broad user connectivity deserve priority review.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. Exploitation requires a connected user with low privileges, so insider misuse or compromised database credentials are the main concern based on available evidence.

Researcher notes

The core weakness is indirect read access bypassing intended table SELECT authorization. No CWE is supplied in the bundle. Patch version details are not included here, so validation should rely on IBM and NetApp advisories rather than inferred fix levels.

Mitigation direction

  • Review IBM advisory 6523810 for official remediation and affected fix levels.
  • Apply IBM-published fixes after confirming Db2 version and platform applicability.
  • Check NetApp advisory NTAP-20220114-0001 if NetApp products bundle or depend on Db2.
  • Restrict Db2 access to trusted users and networks while remediation is pending.
  • Review database privileges for indirect access paths to sensitive tables.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Db2 LUW and DB2 Connect Server deployments running versions 11.1 or 11.5.
  • Compare installed Db2 build and fix level against IBM advisory guidance.
  • Identify sensitive tables where users lack SELECT but may have indirect read paths.
  • Review database audit records for unusual access by connected low-privileged users.
  • Confirm NetApp exposure separately where relevant products are present.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
5

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-2021-38931 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
6.5 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/PR:L/S:U/AV:N/C:H/AC:L/I:N/UI:N/A: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
4Source 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
6.5CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/PR:L/S:U/AV:N/C:H/AC:L/I:N/UI:N/A:N/RC:C/E:U/RL:O2.83.6Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

6.5Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-38931Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/PR:L/S:U/AV:N/C:H/AC:L/I:N/UI:N/A: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
IBMDB2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows11.1, 11.5Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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