How severe is CVE-2020-4242?

CVE-2020-4242 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-4242 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 5% (91st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-4242?

CVE-2020-4242 primarily affects Ibm Spectrum Protect Plus. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-4242?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2020-4242 published?

CVE-2020-4242 was published on 2020-03-31 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-4242

CVE-2020-4242 is a high-severity vulnerability in Ibm Spectrum Protect Plus with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-78.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
CVSS v2: 9.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 5% (91st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-78
Affected product: Ibm Spectrum Protect Plus
Published: 2020-03-31
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

IBM Spectrum Scale and IBM Spectrum Protect Plus 10.1.0 through 10.1.5 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the system. By sending a specially crafted request, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on the system. IBM X-Force ID: 175419.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-4242?: IBM Spectrum Scale and IBM Spectrum Protect Plus 10.1.0 through 10.1.5 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the system. By sending a specially crafted request, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on the system. IBM X-Force ID: 175419.
How severe is CVE-2020-4242?: CVE-2020-4242 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-4242 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 5% (91st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-4242?: CVE-2020-4242 primarily affects Ibm Spectrum Protect Plus. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-4242?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2020-4242 published?: CVE-2020-4242 was published on 2020-03-31 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:ibm:spectrum_protect_plus:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:spectrum_scale:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Ibm Spectrum Protect Plus

CVE-2020-4854 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): IBM Spectrum Protect Plus 10.1.0 thorugh 10.1.6 contains hard-coded credentials, such as a password or cryptographic…
CVE-2020-4469 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): IBM Spectrum Protect Plus 10.1.0 through 10.1.5 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system.…
CVE-2020-4216 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): IBM Spectrum Protect Plus 10.1.0 through 10.1.5 contains hard-coded credentials, such as a password or cryptographic…
CVE-2020-4208 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): IBM Spectrum Protect Plus 10.1.0 through 10.1.5 contains hard-coded credentials, such as a password or cryptographic…
CVE-2021-39063 — Critical (CVSS 9.1): IBM Spectrum Protect Plus 10.1.0.0 through 10.1.8.x uses Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) which could allow an…
CVE-2020-4241 — High (CVSS 8.8): IBM Spectrum Scale and IBM Spectrum Protect Plus 10.1.0 through 10.1.5 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to…

All CVEs affecting Ibm Spectrum Protect Plus →

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