How severe is CVE-2020-4561?

CVE-2020-4561 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 10.0, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-4561 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (85th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-4561?

CVE-2020-4561 primarily affects Ibm Cognos Analytics. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-4561?

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

When was CVE-2020-4561 published?

CVE-2020-4561 was published on 2021-06-01 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-4561

CVE-2020-4561 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Ibm Cognos Analytics with a CVSS 3.x base score of 10.0. 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-829.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 10.0)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (85th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-829
Affected product: Ibm Cognos Analytics
Published: 2021-06-01
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

IBM Cognos Analytics 11.0 and 11.1 DQM API allows submitting of all control requests in unauthenticated sessions. This allows a remote attacker who can access a valid CA endpoint to read and write files to the Cognos Analytics system. IBM X-Force ID: 183903.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-4561?: IBM Cognos Analytics 11.0 and 11.1 DQM API allows submitting of all control requests in unauthenticated sessions. This allows a remote attacker who can access a valid CA endpoint to read and write files to the Cognos Analytics system. IBM X-Force ID: 183903.
How severe is CVE-2020-4561?: CVE-2020-4561 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 10.0, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-4561 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (85th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-4561?: CVE-2020-4561 primarily affects Ibm Cognos Analytics. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-4561?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2020-4561 published?: CVE-2020-4561 was published on 2021-06-01 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:a:ibm:cognos_analytics:11.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:cognos_analytics:11.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netapp:oncommand_insight:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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