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CVE Record

CVE-2021-38945: IBM Cognos Analytics 11.2.1, 11.2.0, and 11.1.7 could allow a remote attacker to upload arbitrary files, ca...

IBM Cognos Analytics 11.2.1, 11.2.0, and 11.1.7 could allow a remote attacker to upload arbitrary files, caused by improper content validation. IBM X-Force ID: 211238.

MediumCVSS 6.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This flaw affects specific IBM Cognos Analytics releases and can let a remote, low-privileged attacker upload arbitrary files when user interaction is involved. The main business concern is unauthorized content being placed into an analytics environment, with high integrity impact and limited confidentiality impact.

Executive priority

Treat as a scheduled but meaningful remediation item. It is not KEV-listed in the provided data, but affected Cognos systems support business reporting and may hold sensitive operational content.

Technical view

CVE-2021-38945 is an improper content validation issue in IBM Cognos Analytics 11.2.1, 11.2.0, and 11.1.7. CVSS 3.0 is 6.3: network reachable, low attack complexity, low privileges required, user interaction required, unchanged scope, high integrity impact, low confidentiality impact, and no availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to organizations running IBM Cognos Analytics 11.2.1, 11.2.0, or 11.1.7. Risk is higher where Cognos is reachable by broad internal, partner, VPN, or internet-facing users with valid accounts.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. The CVSS vector indicates exploitation requires network access, low privileges, and user interaction. IBM X-Force tracks the issue as ID 211238.

Researcher notes

Evidence supports arbitrary file upload through improper content validation, but the bundle does not include exploit mechanics, file type details, or fixed version names. Avoid assuming code execution or public exploitation without additional vendor evidence.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify all IBM Cognos Analytics deployments and confirm exact versions.
  • Follow IBM advisory guidance for fixed releases or interim remediation.
  • Prioritize affected instances reachable by many authenticated users.
  • Restrict Cognos access to trusted networks where operationally feasible.
  • Review third-party advisories if Cognos is embedded or packaged by another vendor.

Validation and detection

  • Verify no Cognos instance runs 11.2.1, 11.2.0, or 11.1.7.
  • Check IBM advisory and X-Force entry for current remediation status.
  • Review upload-related audit logs for unexpected files or users.
  • Confirm authentication and authorization controls around upload-capable workflows.
  • Document compensating controls for systems awaiting vendor remediation.
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-2021-38945 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
6.3 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

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
6.3CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/I:H/PR:L/UI:R/AC:L/A:N/S:U/C:L/AV:N/RL:O/RC:C/E:U2.14.2Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

6.3Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-38945Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

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
IBMCognos Analytics11.2.0, 11.1.7, 11.2.1Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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