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CVE Record

CVE-2021-39015: IBM Engineering Lifecycle Optimization - Publishing 7.0, 7.0.1, and 7.0.2 is vulnerable to cross-site scrip...

IBM Engineering Lifecycle Optimization - Publishing 7.0, 7.0.1, and 7.0.2 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: 213655.

MediumCVSS 5.4Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

IBM Engineering Lifecycle Optimization - Publishing versions 7.0, 7.0.1, and 7.0.2 have a cross-site scripting flaw in the Web UI. A logged-in user could embed JavaScript that runs in another trusted session, potentially exposing credentials or changing page behavior.

Executive priority

Treat this as a medium-priority remediation item. It is not listed as actively exploited in the supplied sources, but it can affect trusted sessions and credentials where vulnerable IBM publishing systems are still in use.

Technical view

CVE-2021-39015 is an authenticated, user-interaction-required XSS vulnerability in IBM Engineering Lifecycle Optimization Publishing. CVSS v3.0 is 5.4 with network attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, changed scope, low confidentiality and integrity impact, and no availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to organizations running IBM Engineering Lifecycle Optimization Publishing 7.0, 7.0.1, or 7.0.2, especially where the Web UI is reachable by multiple authenticated users.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. The CVSS vector indicates exploitation requires privileges and user interaction. X-Force tracks the issue as IBM X-Force ID 213655.

Researcher notes

Evidence supports authenticated XSS in the Web UI with potential credential disclosure. The bundle names affected versions but does not include specific vulnerable parameters, payloads, or fixed versions. Avoid assuming broader IBM products are affected.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify any IBM ELO Publishing 7.0, 7.0.1, or 7.0.2 deployments.
  • Review IBM advisory 6603333 for vendor-approved fixes or upgrade guidance.
  • Restrict Web UI access to trusted users until remediation is complete.
  • Prioritize cleanup of untrusted stored content in publishing interfaces.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm installed IBM ELO Publishing versions against 7.0, 7.0.1, and 7.0.2.
  • Check whether vendor remediation from IBM advisory 6603333 has been applied.
  • Review Web UI inputs for stored script content or unexpected page behavior.
  • Inspect authentication logs for unusual account activity tied to publishing workflows.
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-2021-39015 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
5.4 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/UI:R/I:L/PR:L/C:L/AC:L/S:C/A:N/AV:N/E:H/RC:C/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
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/UI:R/I:L/PR:L/C:L/AC:L/S:C/A:N/AV:N/E:H/RC:C/RL:O2.32.7Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

5.4Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-39015Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/UI:R/I:L/PR:L/C:L/AC:L/S:C/A:N/AV:N/E:H/RC:C/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
IBMEngineering Lifecycle Optimization Publishing7.0, 7.0.1, 7.0.2Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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