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CVE Record

CVE-2019-4423: IBM Sterling File Gateway 2.2.0.0 through 6.0.1.0 could allow a remote attacker to traverse directories on...

IBM Sterling File Gateway 2.2.0.0 through 6.0.1.0 could allow a remote attacker to traverse directories on the system. An attacker could send a specially-crafted URL request containing "dot dot" sequences (/../) to view arbitrary files on the system. IBM X-Force ID: 162769.

MediumCVSS 5.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

IBM Sterling File Gateway versions 2.2.0.0 through 6.0.1.0 have a directory traversal flaw. A remote attacker could use crafted URL requests to read arbitrary files from the server. The business risk is mainly information disclosure, not system takeover, based on the supplied CVSS vector.

Executive priority

Prioritize remediation for internet-facing or partner-facing gateways because the issue is remote and unauthenticated. For isolated internal systems, handle through normal vulnerability management, but do not defer indefinitely because file disclosure can expose credentials, configuration, or sensitive transfer data.

Technical view

CVE-2019-4423 is a remote, unauthenticated path traversal issue in IBM Sterling File Gateway. CVSS 3.0 is 5.3 with network access, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, and low confidentiality impact. Integrity and availability impact are listed as none.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant where IBM Sterling File Gateway web interfaces are reachable by external users, partners, or untrusted networks. Internal-only deployments still have risk from any user or system that can reach the service.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. IBM X-Force lists exploit maturity as unproven in the supplied CVSS vector. Treat this as remotely reachable information disclosure until vendor remediation is confirmed.

Researcher notes

The source bundle provides no CWE mapping and no detailed patch version. The strongest source-grounded facts are IBM product/version range, X-Force ID 162769, CVSS 5.3, and the described arbitrary file read via directory traversal. Validate against IBM advisory details before closing findings.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify all IBM Sterling File Gateway deployments and versions.
  • Review IBM advisory 957207 for the official remediation path.
  • Apply IBM-provided fixes or upgrades for affected versions.
  • Restrict access to the gateway interface to trusted networks where possible.
  • Monitor web logs for suspicious traversal-style requests.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm deployed versions are outside the affected range or remediated.
  • Verify IBM advisory remediation has been applied to each instance.
  • Review access logs for attempted directory traversal patterns.
  • Confirm the service no longer exposes arbitrary local file content.
  • Document externally reachable instances and compensating controls.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
4

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2019-4423 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5.3 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/S:U/AV:N/I:N/UI:N/C:L/A:N/AC:L/PR:N/E:U/RL:O/RC:C

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
3Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
5.3CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/S:U/AV:N/I:N/UI:N/C:L/A:N/AC:L/PR:N/E:U/RL:O/RC:C3.91.4Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

5.3Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2019-4423Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/S:U/AV:N/I:N/UI:N/C:L/A:N/AC:L/PR:N/E:U/RL:O/RC:C

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
IBMSterling File Gateway2.2.0.0, 6.0.1.0Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.