How severe is CVE-2020-4879?

CVE-2020-4879 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-2020-4879 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (71st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-4879?

CVE-2020-4879 primarily affects Ibm Cognos Controller. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-4879?

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-2020-4879 published?

CVE-2020-4879 was published on 2022-01-21 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-4879

CVE-2020-4879 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Ibm Cognos Controller 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-287.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (71st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Ibm Cognos Controller
Published: 2022-01-21
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

IBM Cognos Controller 10.4.0, 10.4.1, and 10.4.2 could allow a remote attacker to bypass security restrictions, caused by improper validation of authentication cookies. IBM X-Force ID: 190847.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-4879?: IBM Cognos Controller 10.4.0, 10.4.1, and 10.4.2 could allow a remote attacker to bypass security restrictions, caused by improper validation of authentication cookies. IBM X-Force ID: 190847.
How severe is CVE-2020-4879?: CVE-2020-4879 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-2020-4879 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (71st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-4879?: CVE-2020-4879 primarily affects Ibm Cognos Controller. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-4879?: 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-2020-4879 published?: CVE-2020-4879 was published on 2022-01-21 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (3)

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:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Ibm Cognos Controller

CVE-2020-4877 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): IBM Cognos Controller 10.4.0, 10.4.1, and 10.4.2 could be vulnerable to unauthorized modifications by using public…
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CVE-2023-47160 — High (CVSS 8.2): IBM Cognos Controller 11.0.0 through 11.0.1 FP3 and IBM Controller 11.1.0 is vulnerable to an XML External Entity…
CVE-2024-40702 — High (CVSS 8.2): IBM Cognos Controller 11.0.0 through 11.0.1 and IBM Controller 11.1.0 could allow an unauthorized user to obtain valid…
CVE-2020-4876 — High (CVSS 8.2): IBM Cognos Controller 10.4.0, 10.4.1, and 10.4.2 is vulnerable to an XML External Entity Injection (XXE) attack when…

All CVEs affecting Ibm Cognos Controller →

Other CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-45480 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Active Directory allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
CVE-2026-46389 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): UDS Identity Config builds the Keycloak configuration image (realm, plugins, theme, truststore, JARs) consumed by UDS…
CVE-2026-10611 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in MISP when LDAP mixed authentication is enabled with OTP enforcement.…
CVE-2026-47280 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Resource Manager (ARM) allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a…
CVE-2026-42822 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Local Disconnected Operations allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges…
CVE-2026-20182 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): May 2026: This security advisory provides the details and fix information for a vulnerability that was discovered and…

Browse all CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities →