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CVE Record

CVE-2020-5016: IBM WebSphere Application Server 7.0, 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0 could allow a remote attacker to traverse directori...

IBM WebSphere Application Server 7.0, 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0 could allow a remote attacker to traverse directories on the system. When application security is disabled and JAX-RPC applications are present, an attacker could send a specially-crafted URL request containing "dot dot" sequences (/../) to view arbitrary xml files on the system. This does not occur if Application security is enabled. IBM X-Force ID: 193556.

MediumCVSS 5.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This vulnerability can expose sensitive XML files from affected IBM WebSphere Application Server systems, but only under specific conditions: Application security is disabled and JAX-RPC applications are present. The main business risk is information disclosure from legacy or misconfigured WebSphere environments.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted legacy-platform risk, not an emergency. Prioritize internet-facing or business-critical WebSphere systems first, especially where security configuration drift is possible.

Technical view

CVE-2020-5016 is a directory traversal issue in IBM WebSphere Application Server 7.0, 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0. The CVSS vector indicates network access, low privileges, high attack complexity, and high confidentiality impact. Integrity and availability are not rated as impacted.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely in older WebSphere deployments where Application security is disabled and JAX-RPC applications remain deployed. Environments with Application security enabled are stated as not affected by this behavior.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show active exploitation, and the CVE is not listed as KEV. IBM describes a crafted URL request with directory traversal sequences, but the evidence provided does not establish public exploitation.

Researcher notes

The disclosed impact is limited to viewing arbitrary XML files when both prerequisite conditions are met. Evidence is incomplete on exact patch levels and exploit availability, so validation should focus on configuration, deployed JAX-RPC apps, and IBM advisory mapping.

Mitigation direction

  • Enable WebSphere Application security where operationally possible.
  • Identify and remove unnecessary JAX-RPC applications.
  • Check IBM advisory guidance for applicable supported fixes or fix packs.
  • Limit network access to WebSphere administrative and application interfaces.
  • Retire unsupported WebSphere versions where feasible.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory WebSphere Application Server versions 7.0, 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0.
  • Confirm whether Application security is enabled on each instance.
  • Identify deployed JAX-RPC applications on affected servers.
  • Review access logs for suspicious directory traversal request patterns.
  • Verify remediation against IBM guidance without offensive testing.
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.

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CVE-2020-5016 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5.3 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/A:N/I:N/PR:L/C:H/S:U/AC:H/AV:N/UI:N/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
5.3CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/A:N/I:N/PR:L/C:H/S:U/AC:H/AV:N/UI:N/RC:C/E:U/RL:O1.63.6Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

5.3Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2020-5016Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/A:N/I:N/PR:L/C:H/S:U/AC:H/AV:N/UI:N/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
IBMWebSphere Application Server7.0, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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