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CVE Record

CVE-2020-4703: IBM Spectrum Protect Plus 10.1.0 through 10.1.6 Administrative Console could allow an authenticated attacke...

IBM Spectrum Protect Plus 10.1.0 through 10.1.6 Administrative Console could allow an authenticated attacker to upload arbitrary files which could be execute arbitrary code on the vulnerable server. This vulnerability is due to an incomplete fix for CVE-2020-4470. IBM X-Force ID: 187188.

HighCVSS 8Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

IBM Spectrum Protect Plus versions 10.1.0 through 10.1.6 have an Administrative Console file-upload flaw that could let an authenticated attacker run code on the server. Because this affects backup infrastructure, compromise could threaten sensitive backup data and recovery operations.

Executive priority

Treat as high priority for any affected backup server. Backup platforms are high-value targets, and code execution can undermine both data protection and incident recovery.

Technical view

CVE-2020-4703 is an arbitrary file upload issue in IBM Spectrum Protect Plus Administrative Console. The CVSS 3.0 vector is 8.0 high: network reachable, low complexity, low privileges required, user interaction required, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. IBM states it resulted from an incomplete fix for CVE-2020-4470.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to IBM Spectrum Protect Plus 10.1.0 through 10.1.6, especially where the Administrative Console is reachable by authenticated users beyond tightly controlled admin networks.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. Exploitation requires authentication and, per CVSS, user interaction, but successful exploitation could execute arbitrary code on the vulnerable server.

Researcher notes

Evidence supports arbitrary file upload leading to possible code execution in affected Administrative Console versions. Public bundle does not include exploit details, confirmed exploitation, or a named fixed version, so validation should rely on IBM advisory content.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify all IBM Spectrum Protect Plus deployments and versions.
  • Review IBM advisory guidance for the correct fixed or supported upgrade path.
  • Restrict Administrative Console access to trusted admin networks or VPN.
  • Enforce least privilege for console accounts and remove unused users.
  • Monitor affected servers for unexpected uploaded files or execution events.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm whether any deployment runs version 10.1.0 through 10.1.6.
  • Check whether the Administrative Console is exposed beyond trusted administrators.
  • Verify remediation status against IBM advisory and X-Force entry.
  • Review access logs for unusual authenticated console activity.
  • Look for unexpected files in application-controlled upload or execution paths.
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-2020-4703 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
8 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/PR:L/C:H/UI:R/I:H/AV:N/S:U/AC:L/A:H/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
8CVSS 3.0HighCVSS:3.0/PR:L/C:H/UI:R/I:H/AV:N/S:U/AC:L/A:H/RL:O/RC:C/E:U2.15.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

8High
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2020-4703Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/PR:L/C:H/UI:R/I:H/AV:N/S:U/AC:L/A:H/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
IBMSpectrum Protect Plus10.1.0, 10.1.6Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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