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CVE Record

CVE-2020-4647: IBM Sterling File Gateway 2.2.0.0 through 2.2.6.5 and 6.0.0.0 through 6.0.3.2 is vulnerable to SQL injection.

IBM Sterling File Gateway 2.2.0.0 through 2.2.6.5 and 6.0.0.0 through 6.0.3.2 is vulnerable to SQL injection. A remote attacker could send specially crafted SQL statements, which could allow the attacker to view, add, modify or delete information in the back-end database.

MediumCVSS 6.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

IBM Sterling File Gateway has a SQL injection flaw in listed 2.2 and 6.0 versions. An authenticated remote attacker could manipulate backend database queries, potentially exposing or changing business data. The public bundle does not show active exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat as a moderate-priority data protection issue. Remediate affected systems through normal vulnerability management timelines, faster for externally reachable or partner-facing deployments handling sensitive file-transfer workflows.

Technical view

CVE-2020-4647 affects IBM Sterling File Gateway 2.2.0.0 through 2.2.6.5 and 6.0.0.0 through 6.0.3.2. CVSS 3.0 is 6.3: network reachable, low complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, with low confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to organizations running the affected IBM Sterling File Gateway versions. Risk is higher where the service is reachable by partner networks, remote users, or other semi-trusted accounts.

Exploitation context

The source bundle lists KEV as false and CVSS exploit maturity as unproven. No cited source in the bundle confirms active exploitation. The issue still matters because database read, write, and deletion impacts are possible.

Researcher notes

Evidence identifies SQL injection and database read/write/delete impact, but does not include endpoint details, exploit proof, or exact remediation version in the provided bundle. Keep analysis tied to IBM advisory and X-Force updates.

Mitigation direction

  • Review IBM advisory guidance for the appropriate fix or fix pack.
  • Upgrade affected Sterling File Gateway deployments according to IBM instructions.
  • Restrict access to Sterling File Gateway to trusted networks and users.
  • Monitor backend database activity tied to Sterling service accounts.
  • Prioritize backups and recovery testing for affected databases.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Sterling File Gateway versions across production and non-production systems.
  • Confirm whether versions fall within the affected 2.2 or 6.0 ranges.
  • Verify IBM-recommended fixes are installed on affected deployments.
  • Review application and database logs for unusual SQL errors or data changes.
  • Check access controls for accounts able to reach Sterling File Gateway.
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

Database behavior lookup

The CVE wording references database injection or access, so collection and exfiltration review may help. 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-2020-4647 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
Medium
CVSS
6.3 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/I:L/PR:L/A:L/C:L/AV:N/AC:L/UI:N/S:U/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
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
6.3CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/I:L/PR:L/A:L/C:L/AV:N/AC:L/UI:N/S:U/RC:C/E:U/RL:O2.83.4Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

6.3Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2020-4647Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/I:L/PR:L/A:L/C:L/AV:N/AC:L/UI:N/S:U/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
IBMSterling File Gateway2.2.0.0, 6.0.3.2, 2.2.6.5, 6.0.0.0Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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