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CVE-2020-4349: IBM Spectrum Scale 5.0.0.0 through 5.0.4.4 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could al...

IBM Spectrum Scale 5.0.0.0 through 5.0.4.4 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could allow an attacker to decrypt highly sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 178423.

MediumCVSS 5.9Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

IBM Spectrum Scale versions 5.0.0.0 through 5.0.4.4 used weaker cryptography than expected. If successfully abused, this could let an attacker decrypt highly sensitive information. The main business risk is confidentiality loss in file storage environments, not service outage or data alteration.

Executive priority

Handle in normal vulnerability remediation cycles, with priority for storage clusters holding sensitive data. Escalate if affected versions are internet-reachable, support critical workloads, or protect confidential records that would create material exposure if decrypted.

Technical view

CVE-2020-4349 affects IBM Spectrum Scale 5.0.0.0 through 5.0.4.4. CVSS 3.0 score is 5.9 with network attack vector, no privileges, no user interaction, high attack complexity, and high confidentiality impact only. IBM X-Force tracks it as ID 178423.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely limited to organizations running IBM Spectrum Scale in the affected 5.0.x range. Risk is higher where the platform stores regulated, confidential, or business-critical data protected by the affected cryptography.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. The CVSS exploit maturity value is unproven, and attack complexity is high, so treat this as a confidentiality remediation issue rather than an active-crisis signal.

Researcher notes

Key constraints are confidentiality-only impact, high attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction. The public bundle does not provide algorithm details, exploit mechanics, or a named fixed release, so validation should stay version- and vendor-advisory-driven.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory IBM Spectrum Scale deployments and record exact 5.0.x versions.
  • Check IBM advisory and X-Force entry for the official fix path.
  • Apply IBM-supported fixes or upgrades for affected 5.0.0.0 through 5.0.4.4 systems.
  • Prioritize environments storing sensitive, regulated, or customer data.
  • Review compensating controls around access to stored sensitive information.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm whether any Spectrum Scale instance runs 5.0.0.0 through 5.0.4.4.
  • Verify the installed level against IBM advisory guidance after remediation.
  • Document systems outside the affected range as not exposed to this CVE.
  • Check vulnerability management records for IBM X-Force ID 178423 coverage.
  • Record that no KEV evidence was provided in the source bundle.
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-2020-4349 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5.9 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/A:N/I:N/PR:N/AV:N/C:H/S:U/UI:N/AC:H/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
5.9CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/A:N/I:N/PR:N/AV:N/C:H/S:U/UI:N/AC:H/RL:O/RC:C/E:U2.23.6Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

5.9Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2020-4349Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/A:N/I:N/PR:N/AV:N/C:H/S:U/UI:N/AC:H/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
IBMSpectrum Scale5.0.0, 5.0.4.4Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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