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CVE-2021-39023: IBM Guardium Data Encryption (GDE) 4.0.0 and 5.0.0 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive inform...

IBM Guardium Data Encryption (GDE) 4.0.0 and 5.0.0 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information when a detailed technical error message is returned in the browser. This information could be used in further attacks against the system. IBM X-Force ID: 213860.

LowCVSS 2.7Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysislow

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

IBM Guardium Data Encryption 4.0.0 and 5.0.0 may reveal sensitive technical details in browser error messages. The issue is low severity because exploitation requires high privileges and affects confidentiality only. The disclosed details could still help an attacker plan later activity against the system.

Executive priority

Treat this as a low-priority remediation item unless affected GDE systems are internet-accessible or heavily exposed to privileged users. It should be handled through normal patch and exposure management, not emergency response.

Technical view

CVE-2021-39023 is an information disclosure flaw in IBM Guardium Data Encryption 4.0.0 and 5.0.0. CVSS 3.0 score is 2.7, with network attack vector, low complexity, no user interaction, high privileges required, and low confidentiality impact. IBM X-Force tracks it as ID 213860.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to organizations running IBM Guardium Data Encryption 4.0.0 or 5.0.0, especially where browser-based interfaces are reachable by privileged users. The source bundle does not identify other affected versions or products.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not show active exploitation, and the CVE is not listed as KEV. The CVSS vector indicates exploitation requires high privileges but can occur remotely without user interaction. The practical risk is follow-on reconnaissance, not direct compromise.

Researcher notes

Evidence is narrow but consistent: IBM describes sensitive information disclosure through detailed browser error messages. No CWE, exploit procedure, or detailed fix version is provided in the bundle. Avoid assuming impact beyond low confidentiality exposure and possible use in later attacks.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory IBM Guardium Data Encryption deployments and identify versions 4.0.0 or 5.0.0.
  • Check IBM's advisory for official fixes or configuration guidance before changing production systems.
  • Restrict browser interface access to trusted administrative networks where feasible.
  • Review logs for unusual privileged sessions or repeated error-triggering behavior.
  • Open an IBM support case if remediation status is unclear.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm whether any GDE instance reports version 4.0.0 or 5.0.0.
  • Verify browser interfaces require privileged authentication and are not broadly reachable.
  • After vendor remediation, confirm detailed technical errors are not shown in the browser.
  • Document any deferred remediation and compensating access controls.
  • Track IBM X-Force ID 213860 for vendor-specific updates.
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-2021-39023 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Low
CVSS
2.7 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AC:L/UI:N/AV:N/C:L/I:N/S:U/PR:H/A:N/E:U/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
2.7CVSS 3.0LowCVSS:3.0/AC:L/UI:N/AV:N/C:L/I:N/S:U/PR:H/A:N/E:U/RC:C/RL:O1.21.4Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

2.7Low
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-39023Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AC:L/UI:N/AV:N/C:L/I:N/S:U/PR:H/A:N/E:U/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
IBMGuardium Data Encryption4.0.0, 5.0.0Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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