CVE-2020-4717 Path traversal in SPSS Modeler

Medium 6.2 Published 10 Mar 2021 Updated 17 Sep 2024

A local attacker with symlink permissions can write arbitrary files to protected paths during IBM SPSS Modeler installation, potentially escalating privileges.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Local or same network only
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2020-4717?

CVE-2020-4717 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in IBM SPSS Modeler, published on 10 Mar 2021. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

A vulnerability exists in IBM SPSS Modeler Subscription Installer that allows a user with create symbolic link permission to write arbitrary file in another protected path during product installation. IBM X-Force ID: 187727.

Weakness: CWE-59

Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-4717?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Ibm Spss Modeler.

How do I fix CVE-2020-4717?

No fix has been published for CVE-2020-4717 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.

Is CVE-2020-4717 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-4717 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Sources

Also known as GHSA-rfxj-hq8g-hc57.