LiveActive security incident?Get immediate response
CVE Record

CVE-2020-4885: IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows (includes Db2 Connect Server) 11.5 could allow a local user to access a...

IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows (includes Db2 Connect Server) 11.5 could allow a local user to access and change the configuration of Db2 due to a race condition of a symbolic link,. IBM X-Force ID: 190909.

MediumCVSS 6.2Not KEV-listedUpdated
Discuss exposureBack to CVEs
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A local user on an affected IBM Db2 11.5 system could alter Db2 configuration through a symbolic-link race condition. This is not described as remote code execution, but configuration tampering can affect database trust, security posture, and operational integrity.

Executive priority

Handle as a moderate infrastructure risk. Prioritize systems with sensitive data, shared administration hosts, or many local users, because the business impact is configuration integrity rather than broad remote compromise.

Technical view

CVE-2020-4885 affects IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows, including Db2 Connect Server 11.5. The issue is a local attack vector with low complexity and high integrity impact, caused by a symbolic-link race condition that can allow Db2 configuration access and modification.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on servers running IBM Db2 11.5 where untrusted or broadly scoped local users can access the host. The bundle does not identify affected minor fix levels or specific operating-system packaging details.

Exploitation context

The provided data does not support active exploitation. The CVSS vector is local, exploit maturity is unproven, and the CVE is not listed as KEV in the supplied bundle.

Researcher notes

The core evidence names a symlink race condition and configuration modification impact, but does not provide CWE, detailed vulnerable paths, or exact patched builds in the prompt bundle. Avoid assuming exploitability beyond local access.

Mitigation direction

  • Review IBM advisory 6466363 for the named fix or upgrade guidance.
  • Apply vendor-supported Db2 11.5 fixes where applicable.
  • Restrict local shell access on Db2 hosts to trusted administrators.
  • Review NetApp guidance only where NetApp deployments include affected Db2 components.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Db2 and Db2 Connect Server 11.5 installations.
  • Compare installed fix level against IBM advisory guidance.
  • Review local user access on affected database hosts.
  • Check Db2 configuration change history for unauthorized modifications.
  • Confirm compensating controls until vendor fixes are applied.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

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.

cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2020-4885 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

Open ATT&CK lookup
Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
6.2 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/PR:N/AC:L/S:U/C:N/UI:N/A:N/I:H/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
4Source 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
6.2CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/AV:L/PR:N/AC:L/S:U/C:N/UI:N/A:N/I:H/RC:C/E:U/RL:O2.53.6Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

6.2Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2020-4885Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/PR:N/AC:L/S:U/C:N/UI:N/A:N/I:H/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
IBMDB2 for Linux and UNIX11.5Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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