CVE-2020-4890 : What You Need to Know

IBM Spectrum Scale versions 5.0.0 to 5.0.5.5 and 5.1.0 to 5.1.0.2 are vulnerable to a denial of service attack due to weak rate limiting.

Understanding CVE-2020-4890

IBM Spectrum Scale is susceptible to a denial of service vulnerability that could be exploited by a local user with valid REST API access.

What is CVE-2020-4890?

This CVE refers to the weakness in rate limiting within IBM Spectrum Scale versions 5.0.0 through 5.0.5.5 and 5.1.0 through 5.1.0.2, allowing a local user to trigger a denial of service attack.

The Impact of CVE-2020-4890

The vulnerability could lead to a denial of service condition, potentially disrupting services and causing operational issues for affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-4890

IBM Spectrum Scale CVE-2020-4890 has the following technical details:

Vulnerability Description

Weak or absent rate limiting in IBM Spectrum Scale

Affected Systems and Versions

IBM Spectrum Scale versions 5.0.0 to 5.0.5.5
IBM Spectrum Scale versions 5.1.0 to 5.1.0.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Local user with valid role to the REST API can exploit the vulnerability

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-4890, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply official fixes provided by IBM
Monitor and restrict access to the REST API

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch IBM Spectrum Scale
Implement strong rate limiting and access controls

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from IBM