Security Bulletin
Summary
IBM Virtualization Engine TS7700 is vulnerable to a data integrity threat (CVE-2021-2163) due to the use of IBM® SDK Java™ Technology Edition, Version 8. The Java SDK is used by the TS7700 to provide the Management Interface, to perform cache management, and to provide Transparent Cloud Tiering. This issue was disclosed as part of the IBM SDK Java Technology Edition update in July 2022. IBM Virtualization Engine TS7700 has addressed the applicable CVEs.
Vulnerability Details
CVEID: CVE-2021-2163
DESCRIPTION: An unspecified vulnerability in Java SE related to the Libraries component could allow an unauthenticated attacker to cause no confidentiality impact, high integrity impact, and no availability impact.
CVSS Base score: 5.3
CVSS Temporal Score: See: https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/200292 for the current score.
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N)
Affected Products and Versions
All versions of microcode for the IBM Virtualization Engine TS7700 (3957-VEC, 3957-VED, and 3948-VED) prior to and including the following are affected:
| Machine Type | Model | Release | Version |
| 3957 | VEC | R5.0 | 8.50.2.6 |
| R5.1 | 8.51.2.12 | ||
| R5.2 Phase 1 | 8.52.102.13 | ||
| R5.2 Phase 2 | 8.52.200.111 | ||
| R5.3 | 8.53.0.63 | ||
| VED | R5.0 | 8.50.2.6 | |
| R5.1 | 8.51.2.12 | ||
| R5.2 Phase 1 | 8.52.102.13 | ||
| R5.2 Phase 2 | 8.52.200.111 | ||
| R5.3 | 8.53.0.63 | ||
| 3948 | VED | R5.3 | 8.53.0.63 |
Remediation/Fixes
IBM strongly recommends addressing the vulnerability now by visiting https://tape.ibmrcl.enterpriseappointments.com/v2/ or contacting IBM Service at 1-800-IBM-SERV to arrange an upgrade to the latest microcode version followed by the installation of VTD_EXEC.269 as needed. Minimum microcode versions are shown below:
| Machine Type | Model | Release | Fix |
| 3957 | VEC | R5.0 | Upgrade to 8.51.2.12 + VTD_EXEC.269 |
| R5.1 | Upgrade to 8.51.2.12 + VTD_EXEC.269 | ||
| R5.2 Phase 1 | Upgrade to 8.52.102.13 + VTD_EXEC.269 | ||
| R5.2 Phase 2 | Upgrade to 8.52.200.111 + VTD_EXEC.269 | ||
| R5.3 | Upgrade to 8.53.0.63 + VTD_EXEC.269 | ||
| VED | R5.0 | Upgrade to 8.51.2.12 + VTD_EXEC.269 | |
| R5.1 | Upgrade to 8.51.2.12 + VTD_EXEC.269 | ||
| R5.2 Phase 1 | Upgrade to 8.52.102.13 + VTD_EXEC.269 | ||
| R5.2 Phase 2 | Upgrade to 8.52.200.111 + VTD_EXEC.269 | ||
| R5.3 | Upgrade to 8.53.0.63 + VTD_EXEC.269 | ||
| 3948 | VED | R5.3 | Upgrade to 8.53.0.63 + VTD_EXEC.269 |
The minimum VTD_EXEC version is shown below:
| VTD_EXEC Package | Version |
| VTD_EXEC.269 | v2.01 |
Note: With v2.00 and subsequent versions, VTD_EXEC.269 may be installed concurrently with online operations except on systems where the Cloud Storage Tier has been enabled with FC 5278, which will still require an outage.
Workarounds and Mitigations
Although IBM recommends that you upgrade to the fixes identified above, you can mitigate, but not eliminate the risk of these vulnerabilities by restricting physical and network access to the TS7700 to authorized users and IBM Service Personnel only.
Get Notified about Future Security Bulletins
References
Change History
07 Dec 2022: Initial Publication
*The CVSS Environment Score is customer environment specific and will ultimately impact the Overall CVSS Score. Customers can evaluate the impact of this vulnerability in their environments by accessing the links in the Reference section of this Security Bulletin.
Disclaimer
According to the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) is an "industry open standard designed to convey vulnerability severity and help to determine urgency and priority of response." IBM PROVIDES THE CVSS SCORES ""AS IS"" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CUSTOMERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF ANY ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL SECURITY VULNERABILITY. In addition to other efforts to address potential vulnerabilities, IBM periodically updates the record of components contained in our product offerings. As part of that effort, if IBM identifies previously unidentified packages in a product/service inventory, we address relevant vulnerabilities regardless of CVE date. Inclusion of an older CVEID does not demonstrate that the referenced product has been used by IBM since that date, nor that IBM was aware of a vulnerability as of that date. We are making clients aware of relevant vulnerabilities as we become aware of them. "Affected Products and Versions" referenced in IBM Security Bulletins are intended to be only products and versions that are supported by IBM and have not passed their end-of-support or warranty date. Thus, failure to reference unsupported or extended-support products and versions in this Security Bulletin does not constitute a determination by IBM that they are unaffected by the vulnerability. Reference to one or more unsupported versions in this Security Bulletin shall not create an obligation for IBM to provide fixes for any unsupported or extended-support products or versions.
Document Location
Worldwide
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Document Information
Modified date:
07 December 2022
Initial Publish date:
07 December 2022
UID
ibm16844439