CVE-2021-38891Network attack vector

Sensitive-data decryption via weak cryptographic algorithms

Published Nov 23, 2021 · Updated Sep 16, 2024

Inadequate encryption strength in IBM Sterling Connect:Direct Web Services 1.0 and 6.0 allows remote attackers to decrypt sensitive data. The product uses weaker-than-expected cryptographic algorithms, but IBM does not identify the algorithm, protected data path, or cryptographic operation. Exploitation requires network access and high-complexity conditions; the documented consequence is disclosure of highly sensitive information, not modification or service interruption.

CVSS severity5.9
Medium
EPSS probability0.69%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Inadequate encryption strength in IBM Sterling Connect:Direct Web Services 1.0 and 6.0 allows remote attackers to decrypt sensitive data. The product uses weaker-than-expected cryptographic algorithms, but IBM does not identify the algorithm, protected data path, or cryptographic operation. Exploitation requires network access and high-complexity conditions; the documented consequence is disclosure of highly sensitive information, not modification or service interruption.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-38891
Published
Nov 23, 2021
Updated
Sep 16, 2024
Vendor
IBM
Product
IBM Sterling Connect:Direct Web Services
Classifications
CWE-326, CAPEC-20, CAPEC-112, CAPEC-192
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 23, 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=1.0
  2. Affected versionversion=6.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

IBM · IBM Sterling Connect:Direct Web Servicesversion=1.0; version=6.0

Published CVSS scores

5.2IBM CorporationCVSS:3.0/PR:N/S:U/AC:H/UI:N/AV:N/A:N/C:H/I:N/RL:O/E:U/RC:C
5.0NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N
5.9IBM CorporationCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
7.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

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-326Inadequate Encryption Strength
CAPEC-20Encryption Brute Forcing
CAPEC-112Brute Force
CAPEC-192Protocol Analysis

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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