How severe is CVE-2020-4685?

CVE-2020-4685 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-4685 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (70th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-4685?

CVE-2020-4685 primarily affects Ibm Cognos Controller. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-4685?

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-2020-4685 published?

CVE-2020-4685 was published on 2020-11-11 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-4685

CVE-2020-4685 is a high-severity vulnerability in Ibm Cognos Controller with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.2)
CVSS v2: 6.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (70th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Ibm Cognos Controller
Published: 2020-11-11
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A low level user of IBM Cognos Controller 10.3.0, 10.3.1, 10.4.0, 10.4.1, and 10.4.2 who has Administration rights to the server where the application is installed, can escalate their privilege from Low level to Super Admin and gain access to Create/Update/Delete any level of user in Cognos Controller. IBM X-Force ID: 186625.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-4685?: A low level user of IBM Cognos Controller 10.3.0, 10.3.1, 10.4.0, 10.4.1, and 10.4.2 who has Administration rights to the server where the application is installed, can escalate their privilege from Low level to Super Admin and gain access to Create/Update/Delete any level of user in Cognos Controller. IBM X-Force ID: 186625.
How severe is CVE-2020-4685?: CVE-2020-4685 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-4685 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (70th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-4685?: CVE-2020-4685 primarily affects Ibm Cognos Controller. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-4685?: 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-2020-4685 published?: CVE-2020-4685 was published on 2020-11-11 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (5)

cpe:2.3:a:ibm:cognos_controller:10.3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:cognos_controller:10.3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:cognos_controller:10.4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:cognos_controller:10.4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:cognos_controller:10.4.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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