How severe is CVE-2020-4494?

CVE-2020-4494 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.

Is CVE-2020-4494 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (81st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-4494?

CVE-2020-4494 primarily affects Ibm Spectrum Protect Client. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-4494?

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-2020-4494 published?

CVE-2020-4494 was published on 2020-06-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-4494

CVE-2020-4494 is a high-severity vulnerability in Ibm Spectrum Protect Client with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. 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-287.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
CVSS v2: 5.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (81st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Ibm Spectrum Protect Client
Published: 2020-06-15
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

IBM Spectrum Protect Client 8.1.7.0 through 8.1.9.1 (Linux and Windows), 8.1.9.0 trough 8.1.9.1 (AIX) and IBM Spectrum Protect for Space Management 8.1.7.0 through 8.1.9.1 (Linux), 8.1.9.0 through 8.1.9.1 (AIX) web user interfaces could allow an attacker to bypass authentication due to improper session validation which can result in access to unauthorized resources. IBM X-Force ID: 182019.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-4494?: IBM Spectrum Protect Client 8.1.7.0 through 8.1.9.1 (Linux and Windows), 8.1.9.0 trough 8.1.9.1 (AIX) and IBM Spectrum Protect for Space Management 8.1.7.0 through 8.1.9.1 (Linux), 8.1.9.0 through 8.1.9.1 (AIX) web user interfaces could allow an attacker to bypass authentication due to improper session validation which can result in access to unauthorized resources. IBM X-Force ID: 182019.
How severe is CVE-2020-4494?: CVE-2020-4494 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
Is CVE-2020-4494 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (81st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-4494?: CVE-2020-4494 primarily affects Ibm Spectrum Protect Client. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-4494?: 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-2020-4494 published?: CVE-2020-4494 was published on 2020-06-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:ibm:spectrum_protect_client:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:spectrum_protect_for_space_management:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Ibm Spectrum Protect Client

CVE-2021-29672 — High (CVSS 7.8): IBM Spectrum Protect Client 8.1.0.0-8 through 1.11.0 is vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow, caused by improper…
CVE-2022-22474 — High (CVSS 7.5): IBM Spectrum Protect 8.1.0.0 through 8.1.14.0 dsmcad, dsmc, and dsmcsvc processes incorrectly handle certain read…
CVE-2018-1785 — High (CVSS 7.5): IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (IBM Spectrum Protect 7.1 and 8.1) uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that…
CVE-2018-1545 — High (CVSS 7.5): IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (IBM Spectrum Protect 7.1 and 8.1) uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that…
CVE-2023-33832 — Medium (CVSS 6.2): IBM Spectrum Protect 8.1.0.0 through 8.1.17.0 could allow a local user to cause a denial of service due to due to…
CVE-2022-22478 — Medium (CVSS 5.5): IBM Spectrum Protect Client 8.1.0.0 through 8.1.14.0 stores user credentials in plain clear text which can be read by a…

All CVEs affecting Ibm Spectrum Protect Client →

Other CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities

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CVE-2026-59500 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): CWE-287: Improper Authentication
CVE-2024-27253 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): IBM DOORS Next 7.0.3 through 7.0.3 Interim Fix 018 could allow an authenticated user to bypass security logic to…
CVE-2026-56162 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure SQL Database allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
CVE-2026-62825 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Key Vault allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.

Browse all CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities →