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CVE-2020-4205: IBM DataPower Gateway 2018.4.1.0 through 2018.4.1.8 could allow an authenticated user to bypass security re...

IBM DataPower Gateway 2018.4.1.0 through 2018.4.1.8 could allow an authenticated user to bypass security restrictions, and continue to access the server even after authentication certificates have been revolked. IBM X-Force ID: 174961.

MediumCVSS 5Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

IBM DataPower Gateway may fail to fully cut off a user after their authentication certificate is revoked. The issue matters where certificate revocation is part of access removal, because a previously authenticated user could retain some server access beyond the intended trust boundary.

Executive priority

Prioritize remediation where DataPower protects sensitive APIs, partner connections, or regulated data. The severity is moderate, but the business impact can rise if certificate revocation is relied on for employee, partner, or service-account offboarding.

Technical view

CVE-2020-4205 is a security restriction bypass in IBM DataPower Gateway 2018.4.1.0 through 2018.4.1.8. The CVSS v3.0 score is 5.0. The vector indicates network reachability, low privileges required, high attack complexity, no user interaction, and limited confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

Likely exposure

Organizations running IBM DataPower Gateway 2018.4.1.0 through 2018.4.1.8 are potentially exposed, especially where certificate revocation is used to remove access. This is not described as an unauthenticated attack; the source states an authenticated user is required.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited active exploitation. IBM X-Force lists the issue as ID 174961. Treat this as a control-bypass risk for former or restricted users, not as confirmed mass exploitation.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE data, IBM advisory reference, and IBM X-Force entry. No CWE is provided. The CVSS vector shows PR:L and AC:H, so validation should focus on affected versions, certificate-revocation behavior, and post-revocation access evidence.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify DataPower Gateway instances running 2018.4.1.0 through 2018.4.1.8.
  • Review IBM advisory 6090886 for the official remediation or upgrade path.
  • Apply IBM-provided fixes or vendor-supported mitigation guidance.
  • Review certificate revocation processes for affected appliances.
  • Monitor for access by users whose certificates were revoked.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory IBM DataPower Gateway versions across production and non-production environments.
  • Confirm whether affected appliances use certificate-based authentication and revocation.
  • Check appliance access logs for revoked-certificate accounts after revocation dates.
  • Verify remediation status against IBM advisory 6090886.
  • Document any compensating controls if immediate remediation is delayed.
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.

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CVE-2020-4205 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

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
5CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/S:U/PR:L/AC:H/AV:N/A:L/I:L/C:L/UI:N/E:U/RC:C/RL:O1.63.4Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

5Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2020-4205Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

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
IBMDataPower Gateway2018.4.1.0, 2018.4.1.8Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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