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Security Bulletin: Apache Log4j vulnerability (CVE-2021-4422) addressed in IBM Watson Machine Learning Accelerator

Security Bulletin


Summary

Apache Log4j, which is used by and included with IBM Watson Machine Learning Accelerator , contains security vulnerability issue CVE-2021-44228. This bulletin provides mitigations for the Log4Shell vulnaribility (CVE-2021-44228) by applying workaround steps to IBM Watson Machine Learning Accelerator

Vulnerability Details

Refer to the security bulletin(s) listed in the Remediation/Fixes section

Affected Products and Versions

Affected Product(s) Version(s)
PowerAI Enterprise 1.2.1
IBM Watson Machine Learning Accelerator 1.2.3
PowerAI Enterprise 1.2.2

Remediation/Fixes

Patch will be released once available.

Workarounds and Mitigations

This document provides mitigations for the reported CVE-2021-44228 vulnerability by applying workaround steps to IBM Watson Machine Learning Accelerator.

Environment:
Linux x86_64, ppc64le

Workaround and mitigation steps:
Note:

For IBM Watson Machine Learning Accelerator version 1.2.1, you must install the Interim fix 536919. 
Refer to the details documented here: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/wmla/1.2.1?topic=accelerator-interim-fixes
1. Apply the fix of “Vulnerability in Apache Log4j addressed in IBM Spectrum Conductor” by following the security bulletin: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6526754

2.  Log on to the primary host as the cluster administrator, stop dlpd service
> source installation_top/profile.platform
> egosh user logon -u Admin -x Admin_password 
> egosh service stop dlpd 
3. Log on to each management host and remove the following class from the jar files
For IBM Watson Machine Learning Accelerator version 1.2.1:
zip -q -d $EGO_TOP/dli/1.2.3/dlpd/lib/log4j-core-2.7.jar org/apache/logging/log4j/core/lookup/JndiLookup.class

For IBM Watson Machine Learning Accelerator version 1.2.2:
zip -q -d $EGO_TOP/dli/1.2.4/dlpd/lib/log4j-core-2.7.jar org/apache/logging/log4j/core/lookup/JndiLookup.class

For IBM Watson Machine Learning Accelerator version 1.2.3:
zip -q -d $EGO_TOP/dli/1.2.5/dlpd/lib/log4j-core-2.7.jar org/apache/logging/log4j/core/lookup/JndiLookup.class

4. Log on to the primary host as the cluster administrator and start dlpd service

> source installation_top/profile.platform
> egosh user logon -u Admin -x Admin_password 
> egosh service start dlpd 

Get Notified about Future Security Bulletins

References

Off

CVEID:   CVE-2021-44228
DESCRIPTION:   Apache Log4j could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by the failure to protect against attacker controlled LDAP and other JNDI related endpoints by JNDI features. By sending a specially crafted code string, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to load arbitrary Java code on the server and take complete control of the system. Note: The vulnerability is also called Log4Shell or LogJam.
CVSS Base score: 10
CVSS Temporal Score: See: https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/214921 for the current score.
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H)

Change History

16 Dec 2021: 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

Review the IBM security bulletin disclaimer and definitions regarding your responsibilities for assessing potential impact of security vulnerabilities to your environment.

Document Location

Worldwide

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Document Information

Modified date:
28 April 2025

UID

ibm16528366