Security Bulletin
Summary
A specially crafted file can be used during IBM SPSS Statistics install leading to a denial of service attack. The IBM SPSS Statistics Installer has addressed this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
CVEID: CVE-2021-38959
DESCRIPTION: IBM SPSS Statistics could allow a local user to cause a denial of service by writing arbitrary files to admin protected directories on the system.
CVSS Base score: 6.2
CVSS Temporal Score: See: https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/212046 for the current score.
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H)
Affected Products and Versions
Affected Product(s) | Version(s) |
SPSS Statistics for Windows | 28.0 |
SPSS Statistics for Windows | 27.0.1 |
SPSS Statistics for Windows | 27.0 |
SPSS Statistics for Windows | 26.0 |
SPSS Statistics for Windows | 25.0 |
SPSS Statistics for Windows | 24.0 |
Remediation/Fixes
IBM SPSS Statistics 28.0 and later versions have addressed this vulnerability.
For versions 24.0, 25.0, 26.0, 27.0, and 27.0.1, upgrading to v. 28.0 addresses the issue.
If upgrading is not feasible, see mitigation note below.
Workarounds and Mitigations
When installing or re-installing SPSS Statistics 24.0, 25.0, 26.0, 27.0, or 27.0.1:
Prior to installation, ensure "C:\ProgramData\SPSS" directory entry does not exist as described in this technote.
After installation, Statistics is not vulnerable.
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References
Acknowledgement
The vulnerability was reported to IBM by Ido Hoorvitch.
Change History
16 Nov 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:
16 November 2021
UID
ibm16516680