CVE-2021-39020 : What You Need to Know

IBM Guardium Data Encryption (GDE) 4.0.0.7 and lower versions store sensitive information in URL parameters, potentially leading to information disclosure.

Understanding CVE-2021-39020

IBM Guardium Data Encryption (GDE) 4.0.0.7 and lower versions have a vulnerability that could expose sensitive data stored in URL parameters.

What is CVE-2021-39020?

This CVE affects IBM Guardium Data Encryption versions 4.0.0 and 5.0.0, where sensitive information is stored in URL parameters, opening the possibility of unauthorized access via server logs, referrer headers, or browser history.

The Impact of CVE-2021-39020

CVSS Base Score: 2 (Low)
Attack Complexity: High
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: High
User Interaction: Required
Exploit Code Maturity: Unproven
This vulnerability could lead to information disclosure if unauthorized parties gain access to the URLs.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-39020

On examining the technical aspects of CVE-2021-39020:

Vulnerability Description

Sensitive information in URL parameters

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: IBM Guardium Data Encryption
Versions Affected: 4.0.0, 5.0.0
Vendor: IBM

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability may be exploited by unauthorized parties accessing URLs through server logs, referrer headers, or browser history.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-39020, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to a version that patches the vulnerability
Securely manage and handle URLs containing sensitive data

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit server logs
Implement strong access controls and encryption mechanisms

Patching and Updates

Apply official fixes provided by IBM for Guardium Data Encryption to mitigate the vulnerability