CVE-2020-4887 Path traversal in AIX

Medium 6.2 Published 20 Jan 2021 Updated 16 Sep 2024

A local user can exploit the gencore command to create arbitrary files in any directory on IBM AIX systems.

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-2020-4887?

CVE-2020-4887 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in Ibm Aix, published on 20 Jan 2021. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

IBM AIX 7.1, 7.2 and AIX VIOS 3.1 could allow a local user to exploit a vulnerability in the gencore user command to create arbitrary files in any directory. IBM X-Force ID: 190911.

Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-4887?

It affects 2 products.

Products include Ibm Aix, Ibm Vios.

How do I fix CVE-2020-4887?

No fix has been published for CVE-2020-4887 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-2020-4887 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-4887 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Ibm Aix vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-vpc3-5fg5-f3ph.