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CVE-2016-8921 IBM CVE debrief

NVD lists CVE-2016-8921 as a high-severity issue affecting IBM FileNet WorkPlace XT 1.1.5. The record describes a remote attacker being able to upload arbitrary files, which can lead to arbitrary code execution on the vulnerable server. NVD rates the issue CVSS 8.8 with a network attack vector, low attack complexity, low privileges required, and high impacts to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Vendor
IBM
Product
CVE-2016-8921
CVSS
HIGH 8.8
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2017-02-01
Original CVE updated
2026-05-13
Advisory published
2017-02-01
Advisory updated
2026-05-13

Who should care

Administrators and security teams responsible for IBM FileNet WorkPlace XT, especially systems running version 1.1.5 or reachable from untrusted networks.

Technical summary

The supplied NVD record maps CVE-2016-8921 to cpe:2.3:a:ibm:filenet_workplace_xt:1.1.5 and identifies CWE-434, Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type. The vulnerability is described as a remote arbitrary file upload issue that can enable arbitrary code execution on the server. The CVSS vector is CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating a network-reachable weakness with low complexity and significant potential impact.

Defensive priority

High — prioritize remediation on any exposed IBM FileNet WorkPlace XT deployment, since the issue is network-accessible, low-complexity, and high-impact in the supplied CVSS vector.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Confirm whether IBM FileNet WorkPlace XT 1.1.5 is deployed anywhere in the environment.
  • Apply the IBM vendor remediation guidance referenced by NVD and verify the affected system is updated or otherwise addressed.
  • Restrict network access to the application until remediation is complete, especially if it is externally reachable.
  • Review upload handling and file-type restrictions on any related application paths, with a focus on allowlisting and server-side validation.
  • Inspect the environment for unexpected uploaded files and any signs of server-side execution in application upload directories.
  • If the product is no longer needed, remove or isolate the service to reduce exposure.

Evidence notes

This debrief is based only on the supplied NVD/CVE metadata and the reference URLs listed in that record. The IBM advisory and SecurityFocus links are present as references, but their page contents were not provided in the corpus, so remediation details are limited to the existence of vendor guidance and the vulnerability metadata itself.

Official resources

CVE-2016-8921 was published in the NVD/CVE corpus on 2017-02-01. The supplied record shows a later metadata modification on 2026-05-13; that date reflects record maintenance, not the original issue date.