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CVE-2021-39017: IBM Engineering Lifecycle Optimization - Publishing 6.0.6, 6.0.6.1, 7.0, 7.0.1, and 7.0.2 could allow a rem...

IBM Engineering Lifecycle Optimization - Publishing 6.0.6, 6.0.6.1, 7.0, 7.0.1, and 7.0.2 could allow a remote attacker to upload arbitrary files, caused by improper access controls. IBM X-Force ID: 213725.

MediumCVSS 5.7Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This flaw lets a remote, low-privileged attacker upload arbitrary files to affected IBM Engineering Lifecycle Optimization Publishing systems because access controls are improper. The main business risk is unauthorized file placement or content changes, not data theft or service outage based on the supplied CVSS vector.

Executive priority

Prioritize remediation in the next regular security patch cycle, faster if the system is internet-facing or widely accessible internally. The risk is moderate because integrity impact is high, but exploitation evidence is not present in the provided sources.

Technical view

CVE-2021-39017 affects IBM Engineering Lifecycle Optimization Publishing 6.0.6, 6.0.6.1, 7.0, 7.0.1, and 7.0.2. CVSS 3.0 score is 5.7. The vector indicates network access, low privileges, low complexity, required user interaction, unchanged scope, high integrity impact, and no confidentiality or availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to organizations running the named IBM Engineering Lifecycle Optimization Publishing versions. Systems reachable by untrusted users or broad internal user populations are more exposed because the issue requires low privileges and network reachability.

Exploitation context

The supplied sources do not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. The CVSS exploit maturity signal is unproven. Treat this as a credible integrity risk for affected deployments, but not as an actively exploited vulnerability based on the provided evidence.

Researcher notes

Evidence is concise and vendor-centered. No CWE is supplied in the bundle. Do not broaden impact beyond arbitrary file upload from improper access controls. User interaction and low privileges are indicated by the CVSS vector, but the exact workflow is not described.

Mitigation direction

  • Check IBM advisory 6603341 for the official fix or mitigation path.
  • Upgrade or patch affected ELO Publishing versions according to IBM guidance.
  • Restrict network access to Publishing systems until remediation is complete.
  • Review Publishing user permissions and remove unnecessary low-privileged access.
  • Monitor upload-capable areas for unexpected or unauthorized files.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory IBM Engineering Lifecycle Optimization Publishing versions across production and non-production environments.
  • Confirm whether versions 6.0.6, 6.0.6.1, 7.0, 7.0.1, or 7.0.2 are present.
  • Verify IBM-recommended fixes or mitigations are applied.
  • Review recent file upload records and application logs for anomalies.
  • Confirm only expected roles can access upload-related Publishing functions.
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-2021-39017 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
5.7 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/I:H/C:N/PR:L/UI:R/A:N/AV:N/S:U/AC: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
5.7CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/I:H/C:N/PR:L/UI:R/A:N/AV:N/S:U/AC:L/RL:O/E:U/RC:C2.13.6Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

5.7Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-39017Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/I:H/C:N/PR:L/UI:R/A:N/AV:N/S:U/AC: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
IBMEngineering Lifecycle Optimization Publishing6.0.6, 6.0.6.1, 7.0, 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.