CVE-2021-20557Network attack vector

Root command execution via request injection

Published May 24, 2021 · Updated Sep 16, 2024

Command injection in IBM Security Guardium 11.2 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary system commands via a crafted request. The published patch notes characterize the issue as an injection flaw that escalates command execution to root, but IBM does not disclose the affected endpoint or unsafe request-handling operation. High-privileged authenticated network access is required, and successful exploitation grants complete control of the appliance.

CVSS severity7.2
High
EPSS probability2.73%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Command injection in IBM Security Guardium 11.2 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary system commands via a crafted request. The published patch notes characterize the issue as an injection flaw that escalates command execution to root, but IBM does not disclose the affected endpoint or unsafe request-handling operation. High-privileged authenticated network access is required, and successful exploitation grants complete control of the appliance.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-20557
Published
May 24, 2021
Updated
Sep 16, 2024
Vendor
IBM
Product
IBM Security Guardium
Classifications
CWE-78, T1059
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 24, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 16, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=11.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

IBM · IBM Security Guardiumversion=11.2

Published CVSS scores

7.2IBMCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.2NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.0NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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