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CVE Record

CVE-2020-4411: The Spectrum Scale 4.2.0.0 through 4.2.3.21 and 5.0.0.0 through 5.0.4.3 file system component is affected b...

The Spectrum Scale 4.2.0.0 through 4.2.3.21 and 5.0.0.0 through 5.0.4.3 file system component is affected by a denial of service vulnerability in its kernel module that could allow an attacker to cause a denial of service condition on the affected system. To exploit this vulnerability, a local attacker could invoke a subset of ioctls on the Spectrum Scale device with non-valid arguments. This could allow the attacker to crash the kernel. IBM X-Force ID: 179986.

HighCVSS 7.1Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This flaw can let a local attacker crash a system running affected IBM Spectrum Scale versions. The main business risk is storage or cluster downtime, not data theft. It matters most where shared compute or storage nodes allow many local users or workloads.

Executive priority

Treat as a high-priority availability issue for environments using IBM Spectrum Scale. It is less likely to be internet-exploitable, but a crash on shared storage infrastructure can disrupt dependent applications and operations.

Technical view

IBM Spectrum Scale file system kernel module versions 4.2.0.0 through 4.2.3.21 and 5.0.0.0 through 5.0.4.3 are affected. A local attacker can pass invalid arguments to certain Spectrum Scale device ioctls, potentially crashing the kernel and causing denial of service.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely limited to organizations running affected IBM Spectrum Scale versions on cluster or storage nodes. Risk is higher on multi-user systems, shared compute environments, or nodes where untrusted local workloads can reach the Spectrum Scale device.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. The CVSS vector marks attack as local, low complexity, no user interaction, and high availability impact. Exploit maturity is listed as unproven in the supplied vector.

Researcher notes

Evidence supports local denial of service through the Spectrum Scale kernel module. Sources do not identify data exposure, remote exploitation, public exploit use, or exact fixed versions in the supplied bundle. Avoid assuming affected products beyond IBM Spectrum Scale.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply IBM's vendor-provided fixed level for affected Spectrum Scale installations.
  • Review the IBM advisory for exact upgrade guidance and supported target versions.
  • Restrict local access to Spectrum Scale nodes to trusted users and workloads.
  • Limit access to Spectrum Scale devices according to IBM and operating system guidance.
  • Prioritize remediation on shared or business-critical storage clusters.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory IBM Spectrum Scale versions across all cluster and storage nodes.
  • Compare deployed versions with the affected 4.2 and 5.0 ranges.
  • Confirm each node is upgraded to an IBM-advised fixed level.
  • Review local user and workload access to Spectrum Scale nodes.
  • Check recent kernel crash records for unexplained Spectrum Scale-related failures.
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-2020-4411 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.1 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AC:L/I:N/C:N/UI:N/PR:N/AV:L/S:C/A:H/RL:O/E:U/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
7.1CVSS 3.0HighCVSS:3.0/AC:L/I:N/C:N/UI:N/PR:N/AV:L/S:C/A:H/RL:O/E:U/RC:C2.54Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

7.1High
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2020-4411Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AC:L/I:N/C:N/UI:N/PR:N/AV:L/S:C/A:H/RL:O/E:U/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
IBMSpectrum Scale4.2.0.0, 5.0.0.0, 5.0.4.3, 4.2.3.21Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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