CVE-2020-4497 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

IBM Spectrum Protect Plus 10.1.0 through 10.1.12 discloses sensitive information due to unencrypted data being used in the communication flow between Spectrum Protect Plus vSnap and its agents. An attacker could obtain information using man-in-the-middle techniques. This vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 6.8, indicating a medium severity level.

Understanding CVE-2020-4497

This CVE involves an information disclosure vulnerability in IBM Spectrum Protect Plus.

What is CVE-2020-4497?

CVE-2020-4497 is a vulnerability in IBM Spectrum Protect Plus versions 10.1.0 through 10.1.12 that allows attackers to access sensitive information through unencrypted communication channels.

The Impact of CVE-2020-4497

The vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to confidential data, potentially leading to data breaches and privacy violations.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-4497

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the use of unencrypted data in the communication flow between Spectrum Protect Plus vSnap and its agents, enabling attackers to intercept and access sensitive information.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Spectrum Protect Plus
Vendor: IBM
Versions Affected: 10.1.0 through 10.1.12
Version Type: Semantic Versioning

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: High
Attack Vector: Network
Confidentiality Impact: High
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Vector String: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N
CWE ID: CWE-319 Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information
IBM X-Force ID: 182106

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-4497, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to a patched version that addresses the vulnerability.
Implement encryption mechanisms to secure communication channels.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and security patches.
Conduct security audits and assessments to identify vulnerabilities.
Train employees on cybersecurity best practices.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that you apply the latest patches and updates provided by IBM to mitigate the vulnerability effectively.