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CVE-2020-4448: IBM WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment 7.0, 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0 could allow a remote attacker to...

IBM WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment 7.0, 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system with a specially-crafted sequence of serialized objects from untrusted sources. IBM X-Force ID: 181228.

CriticalCVSS 9.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysiscritical

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2020-4448 is a critical remote code execution issue in IBM WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment. An unauthenticated network attacker could execute code by sending malicious serialized objects from untrusted sources. For organizations still running affected WebSphere versions, this is a high-priority server-side risk.

Executive priority

Treat this as urgent for any internet-facing or partner-facing WebSphere ND deployment. The combination of remote code execution, no authentication, and high impact justifies rapid inventory, exposure reduction, and vendor-guided remediation.

Technical view

IBM reports that WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment 7.0, 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0 can process a specially crafted sequence of serialized objects from untrusted sources, allowing arbitrary code execution. CVSS 3.0 is 9.8: network exploitable, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely where IBM WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment 7.0, 8.0, 8.5, or 9.0 is reachable by untrusted networks or accepts untrusted serialized input. The source bundle does not identify affected configurations beyond those versions.

Exploitation context

The supplied data does not show active exploitation and marks KEV as false. The CVSS vector indicates unauthenticated network exploitation is possible in principle, but exploit maturity is listed as unproven in the provided vector.

Researcher notes

The source bundle does not provide CWE mapping, detailed vulnerable components, or exploit details. Analysis should stay anchored to IBM's advisory, IBM X-Force ID 181228, and ZDI-20-688 for affected versions and remediation evidence.

Mitigation direction

  • Follow IBM's official advisory for version-specific remediation.
  • Prioritize affected WebSphere ND 7.0, 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0 systems.
  • Limit untrusted network access to affected WebSphere services until remediated.
  • Check IBM X-Force and support guidance for fixed levels or interim fixes.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment versions across production and nonproduction.
  • Confirm whether any instance runs 7.0, 8.0, 8.5, or 9.0.
  • Compare installed fix packs or interim fixes against IBM guidance.
  • Review whether untrusted sources can reach affected WebSphere services.
  • Record compensating network controls while remediation is pending.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
5

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-2020-4448 mapping review

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

Open ATT&CK lookup
Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Critical
CVSS
9.8 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/S:U/I:H/A:H/UI:N/AC:L/PR:N/C:H/AV:N/RC:C/E:U/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
4Source 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
9.8CVSS 3.0CriticalCVSS:3.0/S:U/I:H/A:H/UI:N/AC:L/PR:N/C:H/AV:N/RC:C/E:U/RL:O3.95.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

9.8Critical
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2020-4448Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/S:U/I:H/A:H/UI:N/AC:L/PR:N/C:H/AV:N/RC:C/E:U/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
IBMWebSphere Application Server7.0, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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