How severe is CVE-2016-2988?

CVE-2016-2988 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-2988 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (57th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-2988?

CVE-2016-2988 primarily affects Ibm Tivoli Storage Manager For Virtual Environments. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-2988?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2016-2988 published?

CVE-2016-2988 was published on 2016-11-25 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-2988

CVE-2016-2988 is a high-severity vulnerability in Ibm Tivoli Storage Manager For Virtual Environments with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-264.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.5)
CVSS v2: 4.6
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (57th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-264
Affected product: Ibm Tivoli Storage Manager For Virtual Environments
Published: 2016-11-25
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

IBM Tivoli Storage Manger for Virtual Environments: Data Protection for VMware (aka Spectrum Protect for Virtual Environments) 6.4.x before 6.4.3.4 and 7.1.x before 7.1.6 allows remote authenticated users to bypass a TSM credential requirement and obtain administrative access by leveraging multiple simultaneous logins.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-2988?: IBM Tivoli Storage Manger for Virtual Environments: Data Protection for VMware (aka Spectrum Protect for Virtual Environments) 6.4.x before 6.4.3.4 and 7.1.x before 7.1.6 allows remote authenticated users to bypass a TSM credential requirement and obtain administrative access by leveraging multiple simultaneous logins.
How severe is CVE-2016-2988?: CVE-2016-2988 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-2988 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (57th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-2988?: CVE-2016-2988 primarily affects Ibm Tivoli Storage Manager For Virtual Environments. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-2988?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2016-2988 published?: CVE-2016-2988 was published on 2016-11-25 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21988781

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:ibm:tivoli_storage_manager_for_virtual_environments:6.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:tivoli_storage_manager_for_virtual_environments:7.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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