CVE-2020-4723 : Security Advisory and Response

IBM i2 Analyst Notebook versions 9.2.0 and 9.2.1 are susceptible to a memory corruption vulnerability that could allow a local attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system. This CVE was published on October 28, 2020.

Understanding CVE-2020-4723

IBM i2 Analyst Notebook versions 9.2.0 and 9.2.1 are affected by a high-severity vulnerability that could lead to arbitrary code execution by exploiting a memory corruption issue.

What is CVE-2020-4723?

IBM i2 Analyst Notebook 9.2.0 and 9.2.1 are impacted by a memory corruption flaw.
An attacker can trigger this vulnerability by convincing a user to open a specially-crafted file.

The Impact of CVE-2020-4723

CVSS Base Score: 7.8 (High)
Attack Vector: Local
Confidentiality Impact: High
Integrity Impact: High
Availability Impact: High
User Interaction: Required
Exploit Code Maturity: Unproven
Privileges Required: None
Remediation Level: Official Fix
Report Confidence: Confirmed

Technical Details of CVE-2020-4723

IBM i2 Analyst Notebook 9.2.0 and 9.2.1 have the following technical details:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: i2 Analyst Notebook
Vendor: IBM
Versions Affected: 9.2.0, 9.2.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Scope: Unchanged
Vector String: CVSS:3.0/PR:N/AC:L/A:H/UI:R/S:U/I:H/C:H/AV:L/RC:C/E:U/RL:O

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2020-4723.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply official fixes provided by IBM.
Educate users about the risks of opening files from untrusted sources.
Monitor for any unusual system behavior.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to the latest versions.
Implement security awareness training for employees.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems running i2 Analyst Notebook are updated with the latest patches and security fixes.