CVE-2020-4931 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

IBM MQ 9.1 LTS, 9.2 LTS, and 9.1 CD AMQP Channels could allow an authenticated user to cause a denial of service due to an issue processing messages. This vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 6.5.

Understanding CVE-2020-4931

IBM MQ 9.1 LTS, 9.2 LTS, and 9.1 CD AMQP Channels are affected by a vulnerability that could lead to a denial of service.

What is CVE-2020-4931?

CVE-2020-4931 is a vulnerability in IBM MQ Appliance versions 9.1.0.0 to 9.2.0.1 that could be exploited by an authenticated user to trigger a denial of service attack.

The Impact of CVE-2020-4931

The vulnerability could allow an authenticated attacker to disrupt the processing of messages, leading to a denial of service condition on the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-4931

The technical details of the CVE-2020-4931 vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

CVSS Base Score: 6.5 (Medium)
Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Availability Impact: High
Exploit Code Maturity: Unproven

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: IBM MQ Appliance
Affected Versions:
9.1.0.0
9.1.0.1
9.1.1
9.1.0.2
9.1.2
9.1.0.3
9.1.3
9.1.0.4
9.1.4
9.1.0.5
9.1.5
9.1.0.6
9.2.0.0
9.2.0.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an authenticated user to disrupt message processing, causing a denial of service on the affected IBM MQ Appliance systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-4931, the following steps are recommended:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the official fix provided by IBM to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any unusual activity that could indicate exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch the IBM MQ Appliance to ensure the latest security fixes are in place.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from IBM regarding the IBM MQ Appliance.