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CVE Record

CVE-2020-4553: 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: 183321.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

IBM i2 Analyst Notebook versions 9.2.1 and 9.2.2 can be abused to run code on a user’s machine if that user opens a maliciously crafted file. The risk is concentrated on workstations using this software, especially teams handling files from external or untrusted sources.

Executive priority

Treat this as a high-priority workstation risk where IBM i2 Analyst Notebook is used. It is not described as remotely exploitable or actively exploited in the supplied sources, but compromise could allow code execution after a user opens a malicious file.

Technical view

CVE-2020-4553 is a memory corruption flaw in IBM i2 Analyst Notebook 9.2.1 and 9.2.2. The CVSS 3.0 score is 7.8 high, with local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, and required user interaction. Successful exploitation can affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Likely exposure

Organizations are exposed if IBM i2 Analyst Notebook 9.2.1 or 9.2.2 is installed on analyst workstations. Exposure is higher where users receive or open Analyst Notebook files from third parties, investigations, partners, or unmanaged repositories.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not indicate active exploitation, and the CVE is not listed as KEV. Exploitation requires persuading a victim to open a specially crafted file locally. The source bundle does not provide public exploit details and should not be treated as evidence of active attacks.

Researcher notes

No CWE is provided in the bundle. The key research boundary is file-triggered memory corruption in IBM i2 Analyst Notebook 9.2.1 and 9.2.2. Validate exposure through software inventory and vendor advisory status, not assumptions about related IBM i2 products or other versions.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory endpoints for IBM i2 Analyst Notebook 9.2.1 and 9.2.2.
  • Review IBM support guidance for the official fix or upgrade path.
  • Prioritize remediation for users handling external or untrusted files.
  • Limit opening of untrusted Analyst Notebook files until remediation is complete.
  • Maintain endpoint controls capable of detecting suspicious child processes or crashes.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm installed IBM i2 Analyst Notebook versions on analyst workstations.
  • Verify whether affected versions 9.2.1 or 9.2.2 remain in use.
  • Check whether IBM’s referenced advisory fix has been applied.
  • Review file-handling workflows for untrusted or externally supplied analysis files.
  • Look for unusual application crashes or unexpected process activity on affected hosts.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
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-2020-4553 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/C:H/AC:L/AV:L/PR:N/UI:R/A:H/I:H/S:U/E:U/RL:O/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
7.8CVSS 3.0HighCVSS:3.0/C:H/AC:L/AV:L/PR:N/UI:R/A:H/I:H/S:U/E:U/RL:O/RC:C1.85.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2020-4553Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/C:H/AC:L/AV:L/PR:N/UI:R/A:H/I:H/S:U/E:U/RL:O/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
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.