How severe is CVE-2020-4589?

CVE-2020-4589 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, 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-2020-4589 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 8% (94th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-4589?

CVE-2020-4589 affects Ibm Websphere Application Server. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-4589?

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-2020-4589 published?

CVE-2020-4589 was published on 2020-08-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-4589

CVE-2020-4589 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Ibm Websphere Application Server with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. 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-502.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 10.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 8% (94th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-502
Affected product: Ibm Websphere Application Server
Published: 2020-08-13
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

IBM WebSphere Application Server 7.0, 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system with a specially-crafted sequence of serialized objects from untrusted sources. IBM X-Force ID: 184585.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-4589?: IBM WebSphere Application Server 7.0, 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system with a specially-crafted sequence of serialized objects from untrusted sources. IBM X-Force ID: 184585.
How severe is CVE-2020-4589?: CVE-2020-4589 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, 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-2020-4589 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 8% (94th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-4589?: CVE-2020-4589 affects Ibm Websphere Application Server. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-4589?: 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-2020-4589 published?: CVE-2020-4589 was published on 2020-08-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:ibm:websphere_application_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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