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CVE-2020-4850: IBM Spectrum Scale 1.1.1.0 through 1.1.8.4 Transparent Cloud Tiering could allow a remote attacker to obtai...

IBM Spectrum Scale 1.1.1.0 through 1.1.8.4 Transparent Cloud Tiering could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information, caused by the leftover files after configuration. IBM X-Force ID: 190298.

MediumCVSS 4Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

IBM Spectrum Scale Transparent Cloud Tiering versions 1.1.1.0 through 1.1.8.4 may leave sensitive files behind after configuration. An attacker could read information from those leftovers. The business risk is targeted information disclosure, not system takeover, based on the provided CVSS data.

Executive priority

Prioritize remediation for production Spectrum Scale environments using Transparent Cloud Tiering, especially where configuration material could expose credentials or storage details. This is a moderate issue because impact is confidentiality-only in the provided CVSS data.

Technical view

CVE-2020-4850 is an IBM Spectrum Scale Transparent Cloud Tiering information disclosure issue caused by leftover configuration files. The bundle lists CVSS 3.0 score 4.0 with low confidentiality impact, no integrity or availability impact, no privileges, and no user interaction. The description says remote attacker, while the vector states local attack vector.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely limited to environments running IBM Spectrum Scale Transparent Cloud Tiering 1.1.1.0 through 1.1.8.4. Systems not using Transparent Cloud Tiering are not identified as affected in the provided sources.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not support active exploitation. KEV is false, and the CVSS temporal vector marks exploit maturity as unproven. Evidence is incomplete on practical attack path because the narrative says remote attacker while the CVSS vector says local attack vector.

Researcher notes

Key uncertainty: IBM's description references a remote attacker, but the CVSS vector is AV:L. Do not assume network exploitability without IBM clarification. Focus validation on affected TCT versions, leftover configuration artifacts, and whether sensitive data exposure occurred.

Mitigation direction

  • Review IBM advisory for the vendor-designated fix or supported mitigation.
  • Upgrade or patch affected IBM Spectrum Scale Transparent Cloud Tiering deployments per IBM guidance.
  • Remove or protect leftover configuration files only using vendor-supported procedures.
  • Limit administrative and filesystem access to affected Spectrum Scale hosts.
  • Treat exposed configuration material as sensitive and rotate secrets if confirmed exposed.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory IBM Spectrum Scale deployments and identify Transparent Cloud Tiering usage.
  • Confirm whether versions fall between 1.1.1.0 and 1.1.8.4 inclusive.
  • Check IBM guidance for the specific leftover files and affected configurations.
  • Verify vendor fix or mitigation is applied on affected systems.
  • Assess whether sensitive configuration data was accessible or copied.
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

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CVE-2020-4850 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
4 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/UI:N/PR:N/A:N/AV:L/I:N/AC:L/C:L/S:U/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
4CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/UI:N/PR:N/A:N/AV:L/I:N/AC:L/C:L/S:U/RL:O/RC:C/E:U2.51.4Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

4Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2020-4850Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/UI:N/PR:N/A:N/AV:L/I:N/AC:L/C:L/S:U/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 Scale1.1.1.0, 1.1.8.4Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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