How severe is CVE-2021-38979?

CVE-2021-38979 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-2021-38979 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (48th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-38979?

CVE-2021-38979 primarily affects Ibm Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-38979?

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-2021-38979 published?

CVE-2021-38979 was published on 2021-11-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-38979

CVE-2021-38979 is a high-severity vulnerability in Ibm Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager 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-916.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
CVSS v2: 5.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (48th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-916
Affected product: Ibm Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager
Published: 2021-11-15
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager 3.0, 3.0.1, 4.0, and 4.1 uses a one-way cryptographic hash against an input that should not be reversible, such as a password, but the software does not also use a salt as part of the input. IBM X-Force ID: 212785.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-38979?: IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager 3.0, 3.0.1, 4.0, and 4.1 uses a one-way cryptographic hash against an input that should not be reversible, such as a password, but the software does not also use a salt as part of the input. IBM X-Force ID: 212785.
How severe is CVE-2021-38979?: CVE-2021-38979 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-2021-38979 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (48th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-38979?: CVE-2021-38979 primarily affects Ibm Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-38979?: 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-2021-38979 published?: CVE-2021-38979 was published on 2021-11-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (7)

cpe:2.3:a:ibm:security_guardium_key_lifecycle_manager:4.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:security_guardium_key_lifecycle_manager:4.1.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:security_guardium_key_lifecycle_manager:4.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:security_key_lifecycle_manager:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:security_key_lifecycle_manager:4.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:security_key_lifecycle_manager:4.1.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:security_key_lifecycle_manager:4.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Ibm Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager

CVE-2023-25921 — High (CVSS 8.5): IBM Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager 3.0, 3.0.1, 4.0, 4.1, and 4.1.1 allows the attacker to upload or transfer…
CVE-2023-25925 — High (CVSS 8.5): IBM Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager 3.0, 3.0.1, 4.0, 4.1, and 4.1.1 could allow a remote authenticated attacker…
CVE-2021-38984 — High (CVSS 7.5): IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager 3.0, 3.0.1, 4.0, and 4.1 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could…
CVE-2021-38983 — High (CVSS 7.5): IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager 3.0, 3.0.1, 4.0, and 4.1 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could…
CVE-2023-47706 — Medium (CVSS 6.6): IBM Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager 4.3 could allow an authenticated user to upload files of a dangerous file…
CVE-2021-38975 — Medium (CVSS 6.5): IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager 3.0, 3.0.1, 4.0, and 4.1 could allow an authenticated user to to obtain sensitive…

All CVEs affecting Ibm Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager →

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CVE-2024-5743 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): An attacker could exploit the 'Use of Password Hash With Insufficient Computational Effort' vulnerability in EveHome…
CVE-2021-36767 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In Digi RealPort through 4.10.490, authentication relies on a challenge-response mechanism that gives access to the…
CVE-2021-32519 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Use of password hash with insufficient computational effort vulnerability in QSAN Storage Manager, XEVO, SANOS allows…
CVE-2019-17216 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): An issue was discovered on V-Zug Combi-Steam MSLQ devices before Ethernet R07 and before WLAN R05. Password…

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