How severe is CVE-2021-38891?

CVE-2021-38891 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.

Is CVE-2021-38891 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (47th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-38891?

CVE-2021-38891 affects Ibm Sterling Connect. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-38891?

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-2021-38891 published?

CVE-2021-38891 was published on 2021-11-23 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-38891

CVE-2021-38891 is a high-severity vulnerability in Ibm Sterling Connect with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. 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-326.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
CVSS v2: 5.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (47th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-326
Affected product: Ibm Sterling Connect
Published: 2021-11-23
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

IBM Sterling Connect:Direct Web Services 1.0 and 6.0 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could allow an attacker to decrypt highly sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 209508.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-38891?: IBM Sterling Connect:Direct Web Services 1.0 and 6.0 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could allow an attacker to decrypt highly sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 209508.
How severe is CVE-2021-38891?: CVE-2021-38891 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
Is CVE-2021-38891 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (47th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-38891?: CVE-2021-38891 affects Ibm Sterling Connect. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-38891?: 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-2021-38891 published?: CVE-2021-38891 was published on 2021-11-23 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:ibm:sterling_connect\:direct:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

Other CWE-326 (Inadequate Encryption Strength) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-44523 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Note Mark is an open-source note-taking application. Prior to 0.19.4, no minimum length or entropy is enforced on the…
CVE-2020-6966 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): In ApexPro Telemetry Server Versions 4.2 and prior, CARESCAPE Telemetry Server v4.2 & prior, Clinical Information…
CVE-2014-9199 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The Clorius Controls Java web client before 01.00.0009g allows remote attackers to discover credentials by sniffing the…
CVE-2018-25272 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): ELBA5 5.8.0 contains a remote code execution vulnerability that allows attackers to obtain database credentials and…
CVE-2025-12478 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Non-Compliant TLS Configuration.This issue affects BLU-IC2: through 1.19.5; BLU-IC4: through 1.19.5 .
CVE-2022-24116 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Certain General Electric Renewable Energy products have inadequate encryption strength. This affects iNET and iNET II…

Browse all CWE-326 (Inadequate Encryption Strength) vulnerabilities →