How severe is CVE-2021-20532?

CVE-2021-20532 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-20532 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (11th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-20532?

CVE-2021-20532 primarily affects Ibm Spectrum Protect Backup-archive Client. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-20532?

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-2021-20532 published?

CVE-2021-20532 was published on 2021-04-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-20532

CVE-2021-20532 is a high-severity vulnerability in Ibm Spectrum Protect Backup-archive Client with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. 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-276.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (11th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-276
Affected product: Ibm Spectrum Protect Backup-archive Client
Published: 2021-04-26
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

IBM Spectrum Protect Client 8.1.0.0 through 8.1.11.0 could allow a local user to escalate their privileges to take full control of the system due to insecure directory permissions. IBM X-Force ID: 198811.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-20532?: IBM Spectrum Protect Client 8.1.0.0 through 8.1.11.0 could allow a local user to escalate their privileges to take full control of the system due to insecure directory permissions. IBM X-Force ID: 198811.
How severe is CVE-2021-20532?: CVE-2021-20532 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-20532 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (11th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-20532?: CVE-2021-20532 primarily affects Ibm Spectrum Protect Backup-archive Client. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-20532?: 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-2021-20532 published?: CVE-2021-20532 was published on 2021-04-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:a:ibm:spectrum_protect_backup-archive_client:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:spectrum_protect_for_virtual_environments:*:*:*:*:*:hyper-v:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:spectrum_protect_for_virtual_environments:*:*:*:*:*:vmware:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Ibm Spectrum Protect Backup-archive Client

CVE-2023-28956 — High (CVSS 8.4): IBM Spectrum Protect Backup-Archive Client 8.1.0.0 through 8.1.17.2 may allow a local user to escalate their privileges…
CVE-2018-1853 — Medium (CVSS 6.1): IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (IBM Spectrum Protect 7.1 and 8.1) could allow a remote attacker to hijack the clicking…
CVE-2021-39048 — Medium (CVSS 5.5): IBM Spectrum Protect Client 7.1 and 8.1 is vulnerable to a stack based buffer overflow, caused by improper bounds…
CVE-2018-1787 — Medium (CVSS 5.1): IBM Spectrum Protect 7.1 and 8.1 is affected by a password exposure vulnerability caused by insecure file permissions.…
CVE-2018-1882 — Medium (CVSS 4.7): In a certain atypical IBM Spectrum Protect 7.1 and 8.1 configurations, the node password could be displayed in plain…
CVE-2019-4406 — Medium (CVSS 4.4): IBM Spectrum Protect Backup-Archive Client 7.1 and 8.1 may be vulnerable to a denial of service attack due to a timing…

All CVEs affecting Ibm Spectrum Protect Backup-archive Client →

Other CWE-276 (Incorrect Default Permissions) vulnerabilities

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CVE-2020-29492 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Dell Wyse ThinOS 8.6 and prior versions contain an insecure default configuration vulnerability. A remote…
CVE-2020-29491 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Dell Wyse ThinOS 8.6 and prior versions contain an insecure default configuration vulnerability. A remote…
CVE-2025-40585 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): A vulnerability has been identified in Energy Services (All versions with G5DFR). Affected solutions using G5DFR…
CVE-2019-19896 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): In IXP EasyInstall 6.2.13723, there is Remote Code Execution via weak permissions on the Engine Service share. The…
CVE-2020-37129 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Memu Play 7.1.3 contains an insecure folder permissions vulnerability that allows low-privileged users to modify the…

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