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CVE Record

CVE-2021-38952: IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7 is vulnerable to cross-site scripting.

IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7 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: 211408.

MediumCVSS 5.4Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7 has a web interface cross-site scripting flaw. A logged-in user could place JavaScript into the UI, changing what another trusted session sees and potentially exposing credentials. The rating is medium, but priority rises where privileged users regularly use the interface.

Executive priority

Treat as a scheduled but real remediation item. It is not described as actively exploited, but it can affect credential trust in a sensitive data-integration platform, especially where administrators use the same web interface.

Technical view

CVE-2021-38952 is an XSS issue in IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7. The CVSS 3.0 score is 5.4 with network attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, user interaction required, and changed scope. IBM X-Force tracks it as ID 211408.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to environments running IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7, especially where the Web UI is reachable by multiple authenticated users. Internet exposure is not stated in the sources and should not be assumed.

Exploitation context

The provided bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. Exploitation requires a trusted UI context, low privileges, and user interaction. The described impact is credential disclosure through altered Web UI behavior.

Researcher notes

The source bundle does not provide exact affected components, vulnerable parameters, patch levels, or proof-of-concept details. Validation should stay defensive: version inventory, vendor advisory comparison, exposure review, and monitoring for suspicious stored UI content.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify all IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7 deployments.
  • Review IBM advisory 6575551 for official fixes or mitigations.
  • Apply IBM-provided updates or workarounds applicable to the deployment.
  • Restrict Web UI access to trusted users and networks.
  • Monitor for unexpected script-like content in user-controlled UI fields.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm deployed version and fix level against IBM guidance.
  • Verify the Web UI is not broadly exposed beyond intended users.
  • Review access controls for low-privilege accounts using the UI.
  • Check recent UI content changes for suspicious embedded script behavior.
  • Review authentication and session logs for unusual trusted-session activity.
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-2021-38952 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5.4 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/C:L/AC:L/A:N/PR:L/I:L/AV:N/UI:R/S:C/RL:O/E:H/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
5.4CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/C:L/AC:L/A:N/PR:L/I:L/AV:N/UI:R/S:C/RL:O/E:H/RC:C2.32.7Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

5.4Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-38952Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

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