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CVE Record

CVE-2021-39086: IBM Sterling File Gateway 6.0.0.0 through 6.0.3.5, 6.1.0.0 through 6.1.0.4, and 6.1.1.0 through 6.1.1.1 cou...

IBM Sterling File Gateway 6.0.0.0 through 6.0.3.5, 6.1.0.0 through 6.1.0.4, and 6.1.1.0 through 6.1.1.1 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: 215889.

MediumCVSS 4.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2021-39086 is an IBM Sterling File Gateway information disclosure issue. A logged-in remote attacker could see detailed technical error messages in a browser. That leakage may help plan later attacks, but the sources describe limited confidentiality impact and do not show active exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat as a moderate-priority remediation item. It is not described as system takeover, but file-transfer platforms often handle sensitive business data, so information leakage should be corrected in normal patch cycles.

Technical view

Affected IBM Sterling File Gateway ranges are 6.0.0.0-6.0.3.5, 6.1.0.0-6.1.0.4, and 6.1.1.0-6.1.1.1. CVSS 3.0 is 4.3: network reachable, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, confidentiality low, no integrity or availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely where IBM Sterling File Gateway is deployed and browser-accessible to authenticated users. Public internet exposure would increase concern, but the provided sources do not state that unauthenticated attackers can exploit it.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not cite CISA KEV listing or public active exploitation. The issue is useful mainly as reconnaissance: technical error details could reveal system information that supports follow-on attacks.

Researcher notes

The evidence supports low-impact information disclosure requiring privileges. No CWE is listed in the bundle. Do not assume exploit availability, unauthenticated access, or specific fixed versions unless confirmed in IBM’s advisory.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify all IBM Sterling File Gateway deployments and versions.
  • Review IBM support advisory node 6612537 for official remediation guidance.
  • Prioritize upgrade or fix planning for listed affected version ranges.
  • Restrict browser access to trusted authenticated users where operationally possible.
  • Reduce verbose technical error exposure in production-facing workflows.

Validation and detection

  • Compare deployed versions against the affected ranges in the CVE record.
  • Check whether browser error pages expose detailed technical information.
  • Review access controls for Sterling File Gateway browser interfaces.
  • Confirm remediation status against IBM advisory guidance.
  • Document compensating controls if immediate remediation is deferred.
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.

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CVE-2021-39086 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
4.3 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AC:L/UI:N/A:N/I:N/PR:L/S:U/AV:N/C:L/E:U/RL:O/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
4.3CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/AC:L/UI:N/A:N/I:N/PR:L/S:U/AV:N/C:L/E:U/RL:O/RC:C2.81.4Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

4.3Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2021-39086Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AC:L/UI:N/A:N/I:N/PR:L/S:U/AV:N/C:L/E:U/RL:O/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
IBMSterling File Gateway6.0.0.0, 6.1.0.0, 6.1.1.0, 6.0.3.5, 6.1.0.4, 6.1.1.1Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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