CVE-2020-4217 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

IBM Spectrum Scale versions 4.2 and 5.0 are impacted by a denial of service vulnerability that can lead to unexpected exits of critical daemons, affecting cluster functionality and file system availability.

Understanding CVE-2020-4217

The IBM Spectrum Scale 4.2 and 5.0 file system component is affected by a denial of service security vulnerability.

What is CVE-2020-4217?

The vulnerability allows attackers to force the Spectrum Scale mmfsd/mmsdrserv daemons to exit unexpectedly, impacting cluster functionality and file system availability.

The Impact of CVE-2020-4217

CVSS Base Score: 7.5 (High)
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.0/I:N/PR:N/C:N/AV:N/A:H/AC:L/UI:N/S:U/RL:O/RC:C/E:U
Attackers can disrupt services, leading to denial of service and affecting the availability of managed file systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-4217

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in IBM Spectrum Scale versions 4.2 and 5.0 allows attackers to trigger unexpected exits of critical daemons, impacting cluster operations.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Versions: 4.2, 5.0
Product: Spectrum Scale
Vendor: IBM

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Availability Impact: High

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply official fixes provided by IBM to address the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any unusual activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch IBM Spectrum Scale to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from IBM to apply patches promptly.