How severe is CVE-2021-29728?

CVE-2021-29728 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.9, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.

Is CVE-2021-29728 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (58th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-29728?

CVE-2021-29728 primarily affects Ibm Sterling External Authentication Server. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-29728?

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

When was CVE-2021-29728 published?

CVE-2021-29728 was published on 2021-08-30 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-29728

CVE-2021-29728 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Ibm Sterling External Authentication Server with a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.9. 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-798.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 4.9)
CVSS v2: 4.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (58th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-798
Affected product: Ibm Sterling External Authentication Server
Published: 2021-08-30
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

IBM Sterling Secure Proxy 6.0.1, 6.0.2, 2.4.3.2, and 3.4.3.2 contains hard-coded credentials, such as a password or cryptographic key, which it uses for its own inbound authentication, outbound communication to external components, or encryption of internal data. IBM X-Force ID: 201160.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-29728?: IBM Sterling Secure Proxy 6.0.1, 6.0.2, 2.4.3.2, and 3.4.3.2 contains hard-coded credentials, such as a password or cryptographic key, which it uses for its own inbound authentication, outbound communication to external components, or encryption of internal data. IBM X-Force ID: 201160.
How severe is CVE-2021-29728?: CVE-2021-29728 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.9, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
Is CVE-2021-29728 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (58th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-29728?: CVE-2021-29728 primarily affects Ibm Sterling External Authentication Server. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-29728?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2021-29728 published?: CVE-2021-29728 was published on 2021-08-30 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (6)

cpe:2.3:a:ibm:sterling_external_authentication_server:2.4.3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:sterling_external_authentication_server:6.0.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:sterling_external_authentication_server:6.0.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:sterling_secure_proxy:3.4.3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:sterling_secure_proxy:6.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:sterling_secure_proxy:6.0.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Ibm Sterling External Authentication Server

CVE-2020-4462 — High (CVSS 8.2): IBM Sterling External Authentication Server 6.0.1, 6.0.0, 2.4.3.2, and 2.4.2 and IBM Sterling Secure Proxy 6.0.1,…
CVE-2013-0517 — High (CVSS 7.8): A Command Execution Vulnerability exists in IBM Sterling External Authentication Server 2.2.0, 2.3.01, 2.4.0, and 2.4.1…
CVE-2022-22336 — High (CVSS 7.5): IBM Sterling External Authentication Server and IBM Sterling Secure Proxy 6.0.3.0, 6.0.2.0, and 3.4.3.2 could allow a…
CVE-2021-29723 — High (CVSS 7.5): IBM Sterling Secure Proxy 6.0.1, 6.0.2, 2.4.3.2, and 3.4.3.2 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that…
CVE-2021-29722 — High (CVSS 7.5): IBM Sterling Secure Proxy 6.0.1, 6.0.2, 2.4.3.2, and 3.4.3.2 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that…
CVE-2022-22333 — Medium (CVSS 6.5): IBM Sterling Secure Proxy 6.0.3.0, 6.0.2.0, and 3.4.3.2 and IBM Sterling External Authentication Server are vulnerable…

All CVEs affecting Ibm Sterling External Authentication Server →

Other CWE-798 (Use of Hard-coded Credentials) vulnerabilities

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Browse all CWE-798 (Use of Hard-coded Credentials) vulnerabilities →