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CVE Record

CVE-2020-4452: IBM API Connect V2018.4.1.0 through 2018.4.1.11 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that cou...

IBM API Connect V2018.4.1.0 through 2018.4.1.11 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could allow an attacker to decrypt highly sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 181324.

MediumCVSS 5.9Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

IBM API Connect 2018.4.1.0 through 2018.4.1.11 used weaker cryptography than expected. A successful network attacker could decrypt highly sensitive information, but the published scoring indicates high attack complexity and no known exploit maturity.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted confidentiality risk, not an emergency by default. Prioritize remediation for internet-accessible or sensitive-data API Connect environments, especially where older 2018.4.1.x versions remain in production.

Technical view

CVE-2020-4452 affects IBM API Connect V2018.4.1.0 through V2018.4.1.11. CVSS 3.0 is 5.9: network attack vector, no privileges or user interaction, high attack complexity, high confidentiality impact, and no integrity or availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to organizations running IBM API Connect versions 2018.4.1.0 through 2018.4.1.11. The bundle does not identify affected CPEs, deployment components, or configuration prerequisites.

Exploitation context

The CVE is not listed as CISA KEV in the supplied bundle. CVSS exploit code maturity is unproven, and no cited source in the bundle states active exploitation.

Researcher notes

The public bundle provides the affected version range, CVSS vector, IBM X-Force ID, and high-level impact. It does not describe the weak algorithm, impacted data types, exploit technique, or exact fixed release details.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory IBM API Connect deployments and identify any 2018.4.1.0 through 2018.4.1.11 instances.
  • Review IBM support advisory node 6240322 for official remediation details.
  • Apply IBM's official fix or upgrade path for affected versions.
  • Limit unnecessary network exposure until remediation is complete.
  • Check IBM guidance before making cryptographic key or secret handling changes.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm the exact IBM API Connect version installed in each environment.
  • Compare discovered versions with 2018.4.1.0 through 2018.4.1.11.
  • Review IBM X-Force ID 181324 and IBM advisory node 6240322.
  • Document whether each instance is remediated, unsupported, or awaiting vendor guidance.
  • Prioritize systems processing highly sensitive information.
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-2020-4452 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/AC:H/S:U/C:H/AV:N/PR:N/I:N/UI:N/A:N/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/AC:H/S:U/C:H/AV:N/PR:N/I:N/UI:N/A:N/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-2020-4452Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AC:H/S:U/C:H/AV:N/PR:N/I:N/UI:N/A:N/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
IBMAPI Connect2018.4.1.0, 2018.4.1.11Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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