CVE-2021-29740

Local root code execution via format string injection

Published Jun 1, 2021 · Updated Sep 16, 2024

Format string injection in IBM Spectrum Scale 5.0.0 through 5.0.5.6 and 5.1.0 through 5.1.0.3 allows local users to execute code. IBM identifies the system core component but has not disclosed the affected routine, input path, or incorrect formatting operation. Exploitation requires local access to the undisclosed input path and can execute code with root privileges.

CVSS severity8.4
High
EPSS probability0.33%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Format string injection in IBM Spectrum Scale 5.0.0 through 5.0.5.6 and 5.1.0 through 5.1.0.3 allows local users to execute code. IBM identifies the system core component but has not disclosed the affected routine, input path, or incorrect formatting operation. Exploitation requires local access to the undisclosed input path and can execute code with root privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-29740
Published
Jun 1, 2021
Updated
Sep 16, 2024
Vendor
IBM
Product
IBM Spectrum Scale
Classifications
CWE-134, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 1, 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=5.0.0
  2. Affected versionversion=5.0.5.6
  3. Affected versionversion=5.1.0
  4. Affected versionversion=5.1.0.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

IBM · IBM Spectrum Scaleversion=5.0.0; version=5.0.5.6; version=5.1.0; version=5.1.0.3

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.2NIST NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
8.4IBM CorporationCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-134Use of Externally-Controlled Format String
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

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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