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CVE-2020-4551: IBM i2 Analyst Notebook 9.2.1 and 9.2.2 could allow a local attacker to execute arbitrary code on the syste...

IBM i2 Analyst Notebook 9.2.1 and 9.2.2 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: 183319.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2020-4551 affects IBM i2 Analyst Notebook 9.2.1 and 9.2.2. A local attacker could persuade a user to open a specially crafted file, triggering memory corruption and possible code execution on that system. Business impact is highest where Analyst Notebook is used on analyst workstations handling sensitive investigations or intelligence data.

Executive priority

Prioritize remediation on analyst workstations that process sensitive case, intelligence, law enforcement, or security data. The issue needs user interaction, but successful exploitation could compromise the local workstation.

Technical view

The vulnerability is a memory corruption issue in IBM i2 Analyst Notebook 9.2.1 and 9.2.2. CVSS 3.0 score is 7.8 with local attack vector, no privileges required, low complexity, required user interaction, unchanged scope, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to systems running IBM i2 Analyst Notebook 9.2.1 or 9.2.2. The attack path depends on user interaction: opening a crafted file in the affected application.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. IBM X-Force marks exploit maturity as unproven in the supplied CVSS vector, so treat this as serious but not confirmed exploited.

Researcher notes

Key constraints are local attack vector and required user interaction. The source bundle names memory corruption but provides no CWE. Avoid assuming remote exploitation, broad IBM i2 product impact, or public exploit availability without additional evidence.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify and prioritize affected Analyst Notebook 9.2.1 and 9.2.2 installations.
  • Review IBM advisory guidance and apply the vendor-recommended fix or upgrade path.
  • Restrict opening Analyst Notebook files from untrusted or external sources.
  • Use endpoint controls to limit impact from user-launched malicious files.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory endpoints for IBM i2 Analyst Notebook version 9.2.1 or 9.2.2.
  • Confirm affected installations have received IBM’s recommended remediation.
  • Review recent file-open activity involving untrusted Analyst Notebook files.
  • Check endpoint telemetry for crashes or suspicious child processes from Analyst Notebook.
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

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-2020-4551 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/AV:L/PR:N/S:U/I:H/A:H/UI:R/C:H/AC:L/RC:C/RL:O/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/AV:L/PR:N/S:U/I:H/A:H/UI:R/C:H/AC:L/RC:C/RL:O/E:U1.85.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2020-4551Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/PR:N/S:U/I:H/A:H/UI:R/C:H/AC:L/RC:C/RL:O/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 Analyst Notebook9.2.1, 9.2.2Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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