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CVE Record

CVE-2020-4587: IBM Sterling Connect:Direct for UNIX 4.2.0, 4.3.0, 6.0.0, and 6.1.0 is vulnerable to a stack based buffer o...

IBM Sterling Connect:Direct for UNIX 4.2.0, 4.3.0, 6.0.0, and 6.1.0 is vulnerable to a stack based buffer ovreflow, caused by improper bounds checking. A local attacker could manipulate CD UNIX to obtain root provileges. IBM X-Force ID: 184578.

HighCVSS 8.4Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2020-4587 is a high-severity IBM Sterling Connect:Direct for UNIX flaw. A local attacker could abuse a stack-based buffer overflow to gain root privileges, turning limited host access into full system control. It matters most where Connect:Direct runs on shared, multi-user, or business-critical UNIX systems.

Executive priority

Treat this as a high-priority remediation item for affected UNIX file-transfer infrastructure, especially on shared or high-trust systems. It is not described as remotely exploitable in the supplied sources, but root escalation can be business-critical after any initial host compromise.

Technical view

The sources describe improper bounds checking causing a stack-based buffer overflow in IBM Sterling Connect:Direct for UNIX 4.2.0, 4.3.0, 6.0.0, and 6.1.0. The CVSS 3.0 score is 8.4 with local attack vector, low complexity, no user interaction, unchanged scope, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to IBM Sterling Connect:Direct for UNIX or IBM Connect:Direct for UNIX versions 4.2.0, 4.3.0, 6.0.0, and 6.1.0. Risk depends on whether local users, service accounts, or compromised processes can access the affected UNIX host.

Exploitation context

The supplied sources do not show CISA KEV listing or public active exploitation evidence. The vulnerability is local, so an attacker generally needs access to the host first. If successful, the reported outcome is root privilege escalation.

Researcher notes

Evidence is concise but consistent: IBM and CVE sources identify affected versions, stack-based overflow class, local attack vector, and root privilege impact. The bundle does not include exploit details, exact fixed versions, or proof of exploitation, so validation should stay tied to IBM advisory data.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory IBM Connect:Direct for UNIX deployments and record exact versions.
  • Review IBM advisory 6320317 and X-Force 184578 for vendor-approved remediation.
  • Apply IBM-provided fixes or upgrades for affected versions after change testing.
  • Restrict local shell and service-account access on affected UNIX hosts.
  • Prioritize hosts handling sensitive file transfers or privileged automation.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm whether any installed version matches 4.2.0, 4.3.0, 6.0.0, or 6.1.0.
  • Check vendor advisory status for the exact product name and release line.
  • Verify remediated systems no longer report an affected Connect:Direct version.
  • Review privileged account activity on affected hosts for unusual local use.
  • Document compensating controls where immediate remediation is delayed.
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-2020-4587 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
8.4 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/A:H/PR:N/C:H/AV:L/S:U/I:H/UI:N/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
8.4CVSS 3.0HighCVSS:3.0/A:H/PR:N/C:H/AV:L/S:U/I:H/UI:N/AC:L/RC:C/RL:O/E:U2.55.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

8.4High
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2020-4587Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/A:H/PR:N/C:H/AV:L/S:U/I:H/UI:N/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
IBMSterling Connect:Direct for UNIX4.2.0, 4.3.0Listed
IBMConnect:Direct for UNIX6.1.0, 6.0.0Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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