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CVE Record

CVE-2020-4261: IBM i2 Intelligent Analyis Platform 9.2.1 could allow a local attacker to execute arbitrary code on the sys...

IBM i2 Intelligent Analyis Platform 9.2.1 could allow a local attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by a memory corruption. By persuading a victim to open a specially-crafted file, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the system. IBM X-Force ID: 175644.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2020-4261 affects IBM i2 version 9.2.1 software identified in the sources. A victim opening a maliciously crafted file could trigger memory corruption and let an attacker run code on that user’s system. This is high impact but requires user interaction and local execution context.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted high-priority workstation remediation issue if IBM i2 9.2.1 is deployed. Business urgency rises where analysts process external files, because compromise could affect sensitive investigations and operational availability.

Technical view

The CVE describes memory corruption in IBM i2 Intelligent Analysis Platform / i2 Analysts Notebook 9.2.1. CVSS 3.0 is 7.8 with AV:L, AC:L, PR:N, UI:R, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. IBM X-Force tracks it as ID 175644.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on workstations or analysis environments running IBM i2 version 9.2.1 and handling externally supplied files. Organizations not using that version are not shown as affected by the provided sources.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not show known active exploitation, and the CVE is not listed as KEV. Exploitation requires persuading a user to open a specially crafted file, so phishing, document exchange, or shared-case workflows are plausible risk paths.

Researcher notes

The source bundle names IBM i2 Intelligent Analysis Platform in the description and i2 Analysts Notebook in affected data; validate exact installed IBM i2 component names locally. No CWE is provided. The bundle references an IBM advisory and X-Force entry but does not include detailed fixed-version text.

Mitigation direction

  • Review IBM advisory 6209081 and apply the vendor-recommended fix for affected 9.2.1 deployments.
  • Prioritize updates on analyst workstations that open third-party or untrusted files.
  • Limit opening of unsolicited i2-related files until systems are remediated.
  • Use endpoint controls to monitor unexpected child processes from IBM i2 applications.
  • Ensure users handling external case files receive targeted caution guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory endpoints for IBM i2 Analyst's Notebook or Intelligent Analysis Platform 9.2.1.
  • Compare installed versions against IBM advisory 6209081 and X-Force ID 175644.
  • Confirm remediation status through software inventory or endpoint management records.
  • Review endpoint alerts for unusual process launches from IBM i2 applications.
  • Check whether affected users receive files from external or untrusted sources.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
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

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

description · low confidence lookup

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2020-4261 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.8 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

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
7.8CVSS 3.0HighCVSS:3.0/I:H/AC:L/PR:N/C:H/A:H/AV:L/UI:R/S:U/RL:O/RC:C/E:U1.85.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2020-4261Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

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
IBMi2 Analysts Notebook9.2.1Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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