CVE-2020-4575 : What You Need to Know

IBM WebSphere Application Server ND 8.5 and 9.0, and IBM WebSphere Virtual Enterprise 7.0 and 8.0 are vulnerable to cross-site scripting when High Availability Deployment Manager is configured.

Understanding CVE-2020-4575

IBM WebSphere Application Server ND and WebSphere Virtual Enterprise are susceptible to cross-site scripting attacks.

What is CVE-2020-4575?

CVE-2020-4575 is a vulnerability that affects IBM WebSphere Application Server ND versions 8.5 and 9.0, as well as IBM WebSphere Virtual Enterprise versions 7.0 and 8.0. The vulnerability arises when the High Availability Deployment Manager is set up.

The Impact of CVE-2020-4575

CVSS Base Score: 4.7 (Medium Severity)
Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: High
User Interaction: Required
Exploit Code Maturity: High
Confidentiality Impact: Low
Integrity Impact: Low
Availability Impact: None
Scope: Changed
Vector String: CVSS:3.0/S:C/I:L/A:N/C:L/AV:N/PR:N/UI:R/AC:H/RC:C/RL:O/E:H
Temporal Score: 4.5 (Medium Severity)

Technical Details of CVE-2020-4575

IBM WebSphere products are affected by the following:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows for cross-site scripting attacks when the High Availability Deployment Manager is configured in IBM WebSphere Application Server ND and WebSphere Virtual Enterprise.

Affected Systems and Versions

WebSphere Virtual Enterprise: Versions 7.0 and 8.0
WebSphere Application Server ND: Versions 8.5 and 9.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by users, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data theft.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply official fixes provided by IBM to address the vulnerability.
Disable the High Availability Deployment Manager if not required.
Monitor for any unusual activities that may indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch IBM WebSphere products to ensure the latest security measures are in place.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address any vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from IBM regarding CVE-2020-4575.
Implement patches promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation.