CVE-2020-4381 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

IBM Spectrum Scale for IBM Elastic Storage Server 5.3.0 through 5.3.6 could allow an authenticated user to cause a denial of service during deployment or upgrade if GUI specific services are enabled.

Understanding CVE-2020-4381

IBM Spectrum Scale for IBM Elastic Storage Server is affected by a vulnerability that could lead to a denial of service.

What is CVE-2020-4381?

CVE-2020-4381 is a vulnerability in IBM Spectrum Scale for IBM Elastic Storage Server versions 5.3.0 through 5.3.6 that could be exploited by an authenticated user to trigger a denial of service when GUI specific services are active.

The Impact of CVE-2020-4381

The vulnerability poses a medium severity risk with a CVSS base score of 5.3, potentially causing a denial of service during deployment or upgrade.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-4381

IBM Spectrum Scale for IBM Elastic Storage Server is susceptible to a specific type of attack.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows an authenticated user to disrupt services during deployment or upgrade if GUI specific services are enabled.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Elastic Storage Server
Vendor: IBM
Versions Affected: 5.3.0, 5.3.6

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: High
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: None
Exploit Code Maturity: Unproven
Availability Impact: High
Scope: Unchanged

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable GUI specific services if not essential for operations.
Apply official fixes provided by IBM.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update security configurations.
Conduct security assessments to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from IBM.