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CVE Record

CVE-2021-42537: VISAM VBASE Editor Improper Restriction of XML

VISAM VBASE version 11.6.0.6 processes an XML document that can contain XML entities with URIs that resolve to documents outside of the intended sphere of control, causing the product to embed incorrect documents into its output.

MediumCVSS 5.9Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This flaw lets a crafted XML document make VISAM VBASE include documents outside its intended control into output. The main business risk is exposure of sensitive files or data through XML processing. It is rated medium, with high confidentiality impact, but exploitation requires user interaction and high attack complexity.

Executive priority

Handle as a moderate-priority data exposure risk. Prioritize environments where VBASE processes XML from external parties or supports sensitive operational workflows. No active exploitation is cited in the provided sources.

Technical view

CVE-2021-42537 is a CWE-611 XML External Entity style issue in VISAM VBASE version 11.6.0.6. XML entities can reference URIs outside the intended control boundary, causing incorrect documents to be embedded in output. CVSS 3.1 score is 5.9: network vector, no privileges, user interaction required, high complexity.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to organizations running VISAM VBASE Pro-RT/Server-RT Web Remote version 11.6.0.6 and processing XML documents. The bundle provides no CPEs, so confirmation may require direct product inventory, version checks, or vendor records.

Exploitation context

The provided bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. The CVSS vector indicates remote reachability, no attacker privileges, required user interaction, and high attack complexity. Treat untrusted XML handling as the main risk path.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE details and CISA advisory reference in the bundle. Do not assume affected versions beyond 11.6.0.6. Focus validation on XXE-prone XML processing and whether official vendor remediation exists.

Mitigation direction

  • Check VISAM and CISA advisory guidance for official remediation.
  • Identify and prioritize VBASE 11.6.0.6 systems.
  • Restrict processing of untrusted XML where operationally possible.
  • Limit access to affected Web Remote interfaces.
  • Monitor outputs for unexpected embedded documents or data exposure.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm whether VBASE Pro-RT/Server-RT Web Remote is deployed.
  • Verify installed versions against 11.6.0.6.
  • Map workflows that import or process XML documents.
  • Check whether XML originates from external or untrusted sources.
  • Review vendor or CISA guidance for patch status.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
3

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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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-611: Exact CWE lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2021-42537 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5.9 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N

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
2Source 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
5.9CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N1.64.2Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

5.9Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2021-42537Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N

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
VISAMVBASE Pro-RT/ Server-RT (Web Remote)version 11.6.0.6Listed
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-611

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

CWE-611 · source CWE mapping

Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference

Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.

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