How severe is CVE-2021-20546?

CVE-2021-20546 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-20546 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (18th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-20546?

CVE-2021-20546 primarily affects Ibm Spectrum Protect Client. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-20546?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2021-20546 published?

CVE-2021-20546 was published on 2021-04-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-20546

CVE-2021-20546 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Ibm Spectrum Protect Client with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5. 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-787.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.5)
CVSS v2: 2.1
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (18th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-787
Affected product: Ibm Spectrum Protect Client
Published: 2021-04-26
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

IBM Spectrum Protect Client 8.1.0.0 through 8.1.11.0 is vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow, caused by improper bounds checking. A local attacker could overflow a buffer and cause the application to crash. IBM X-Force ID: 198934

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-20546?: IBM Spectrum Protect Client 8.1.0.0 through 8.1.11.0 is vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow, caused by improper bounds checking. A local attacker could overflow a buffer and cause the application to crash. IBM X-Force ID: 198934
How severe is CVE-2021-20546?: CVE-2021-20546 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-20546 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (18th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-20546?: CVE-2021-20546 primarily affects Ibm Spectrum Protect Client. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-20546?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2021-20546 published?: CVE-2021-20546 was published on 2021-04-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:ibm:spectrum_protect_client:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:spectrum_protect_for_space_management:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Ibm Spectrum Protect Client

CVE-2021-29672 — High (CVSS 7.8): IBM Spectrum Protect Client 8.1.0.0-8 through 1.11.0 is vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow, caused by improper…
CVE-2022-22474 — High (CVSS 7.5): IBM Spectrum Protect 8.1.0.0 through 8.1.14.0 dsmcad, dsmc, and dsmcsvc processes incorrectly handle certain read…
CVE-2020-4494 — High (CVSS 7.5): IBM Spectrum Protect Client 8.1.7.0 through 8.1.9.1 (Linux and Windows), 8.1.9.0 trough 8.1.9.1 (AIX) and IBM Spectrum…
CVE-2018-1785 — High (CVSS 7.5): IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (IBM Spectrum Protect 7.1 and 8.1) uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that…
CVE-2018-1545 — High (CVSS 7.5): IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (IBM Spectrum Protect 7.1 and 8.1) uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that…
CVE-2023-33832 — Medium (CVSS 6.2): IBM Spectrum Protect 8.1.0.0 through 8.1.17.0 could allow a local user to cause a denial of service due to due to…

All CVEs affecting Ibm Spectrum Protect Client →

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