CVE-2021-20337

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2021-20337?

CVE-2021-20337 has a CVSS score of 7.5 (HIGH). IBM QRadar SIEM versions 7.3.0-7.3.3 Patch 8 and 7.4.0-7.4.3 GA use weak cryptographic algorithms, allowing attackers to decrypt sensitive information stored or transmitted by the system. This affects organizations using these vulnerable QRadar versions for security monitoring and log management.

7.5 HIGH

📋 TL;DR

IBM QRadar SIEM versions 7.3.0-7.3.3 Patch 8 and 7.4.0-7.4.3 GA use weak cryptographic algorithms, allowing attackers to decrypt sensitive information stored or transmitted by the system. This affects organizations using these vulnerable QRadar versions for security monitoring and log management.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

IBM QRadar SIEM

Versions: 7.3.0 to 7.3.3 Patch 8 and 7.4.0 to 7.4.3 GA

Operating Systems: Linux-based QRadar appliance OS

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All installations within affected version ranges are vulnerable regardless of configuration.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Attackers decrypt highly sensitive security data, logs, credentials, or configuration information, potentially compromising the entire security monitoring infrastructure and gaining persistent access to the network.

🟠

Likely Case

Attackers decrypt specific sensitive information from QRadar, such as log data containing credentials or network intelligence, enabling further attacks against monitored systems.

🟢

If Mitigated

With proper network segmentation and access controls, impact is limited to the QRadar system itself, though sensitive data within QRadar remains at risk.

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires access to encrypted data and cryptographic analysis capabilities, but no public exploit code is known.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 7.3.3 Patch 9 or later, 7.4.3 Fix Pack 1 or later

Vendor Advisory: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6474847

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Download appropriate fix from IBM Fix Central. 2. Apply patch following IBM QRadar patch installation procedures. 3. Restart QRadar services as required.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Network segmentation and access controls

all

Restrict network access to QRadar management interfaces and data storage to minimize attack surface.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict network segmentation to isolate QRadar from untrusted networks
Monitor for unusual access patterns or cryptographic attacks against QRadar systems

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check QRadar version via Admin tab > System and License Management > About QRadar

Check Version:

ssh admin@qradar-host 'cat /opt/qradar/VERSION'

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify version is 7.3.3 Patch 9+ or 7.4.3 Fix Pack 1+ and check patch installation logs

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual cryptographic operations, failed decryption attempts, or unexpected access to encrypted data stores

Network Indicators:

Traffic patterns suggesting cryptographic analysis or brute-force attacks against QRadar

SIEM Query:

source="QRadar" AND (event="CRYPTOGRAPHIC_ERROR" OR event="UNAUTHORIZED_ACCESS")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2021-20337

CVSS v3 Score: 7.5 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

CWE: CWE-327

Published: July 26, 2021

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/194448 VDB Entry,Vendor Advisory
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6474847 Patch,Vendor Advisory
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/194448 VDB Entry,Vendor Advisory
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6474847 Patch,Vendor Advisory

📋 TL;DR

💻 Affected Systems

📦 What is this software?

Qradar Security Information And Event Manager by Ibm

Qradar Security Information And Event Manager by Ibm

Qradar Security Information And Event Manager by Ibm

Qradar Security Information And Event Manager by Ibm

Qradar Security Information And Event Manager by Ibm

Qradar Security Information And Event Manager by Ibm

Qradar Security Information And Event Manager by Ibm

Qradar Security Information And Event Manager by Ibm

Qradar Security Information And Event Manager by Ibm

Qradar Security Information And Event Manager by Ibm

Qradar Security Information And Event Manager by Ibm

Qradar Security Information And Event Manager by Ibm

Qradar Security Information And Event Manager by Ibm

Qradar Security Information And Event Manager by Ibm

Qradar Security Information And Event Manager by Ibm

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

Worst Case

Likely Case

If Mitigated

🎯 Exploit Status

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Instructions:

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Network segmentation and access controls

🧯 If You Can't Patch

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Version:

Verify Fix Applied:

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Network Indicators:

SIEM Query:

📊 Metadata

🔗 References

📤 Share & Export

🔗 Related Vulnerabilities