CVE-2020-4981

Privileged file overwrite via improper input validation

Published Apr 27, 2021 · Updated Sep 16, 2024

Improper input validation in IBM Spectrum Scale 5.0.4.1 through 5.1.0.3 allows local privileged users to overwrite files. The affected CSI 1.0.0 through 2.1.0 releases perform insecure external command execution, but IBM does not disclose the command, input field, or faulty validation path. Exploitation requires high local privileges and changes file contents without reported disclosure or service interruption.

CVSS severity4.4
Medium
EPSS probability0.22%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in IBM Spectrum Scale 5.0.4.1 through 5.1.0.3 allows local privileged users to overwrite files. The affected CSI 1.0.0 through 2.1.0 releases perform insecure external command execution, but IBM does not disclose the command, input field, or faulty validation path. Exploitation requires high local privileges and changes file contents without reported disclosure or service interruption.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-4981
Published
Apr 27, 2021
Updated
Sep 16, 2024
Vendor
IBM
Product
IBM Spectrum Scale
Classifications
T1565.001
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 27, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 16, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

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  1. Affected versionversion=5.0.4.1
  2. Affected versionversion=5.1.0.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

IBM · IBM Spectrum Scaleversion=5.0.4.1; version=5.1.0.3

Published CVSS scores

4.4IBMCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1565.001Stored Data Manipulation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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