CVE-2021-29781Network attack vector

Unauthenticated remote code execution via unsafe deserialization

Published Jul 30, 2021 · Updated Sep 17, 2024

Unsafe deserialization in IBM Sterling Partner Engagement Manager 2.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via specially crafted data. The IBM bulletin does not identify the specific deserialization component or operation, only that attacker-controlled data reaches an unsafe deserialization path. No authentication or user interaction is required, so a network attacker can achieve code execution on the service.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability2.86%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Unsafe deserialization in IBM Sterling Partner Engagement Manager 2.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via specially crafted data. The IBM bulletin does not identify the specific deserialization component or operation, only that attacker-controlled data reaches an unsafe deserialization path. No authentication or user interaction is required, so a network attacker can achieve code execution on the service.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-29781
Published
Jul 30, 2021
Updated
Sep 17, 2024
Vendor
IBM
Product
IBM Sterling Partner Engagement Manager
Classifications
CWE-502, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 30, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 17, 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=2.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

IBM · IBM Sterling Partner Engagement Managerversion=2.0

Published CVSS scores

8.5NVDCVSS:3.0/UI:N/A:H/I:H/PR:N/AV:N/S:U/AC:L/C:H/RL:O/RC:C/E:U
9.8IBMCVSS:3.0/AV:N/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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-502Deserialization of Untrusted Data
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

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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