CVE-2020-4435
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in IBM Aspera applications allows arbitrary memory corruption through the HTTP fallback service when configured in certain ways. An attacker with detailed system knowledge could execute arbitrary code or cause denial-of-service. Organizations using vulnerable IBM Aspera products are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- IBM Aspera Faspex
- IBM Aspera Shares
- IBM Aspera Console
- IBM Aspera High-Speed Transfer Endpoint
📦 What is this software?
Aspera Application Platform On Demand by Ibm
View all CVEs affecting Aspera Application Platform On Demand →
Aspera High Speed Transfer Endpoint by Ibm
View all CVEs affecting Aspera High Speed Transfer Endpoint →
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Denial-of-service causing service disruption or application crashes.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper network segmentation and restricted access controls.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires intimate knowledge of system and specific configuration
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Various fixed versions per product (e.g., Aspera Faspex 4.4.2 Patch Level 1)
Vendor Advisory: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6221324
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Identify affected IBM Aspera products. 2. Download appropriate patches from IBM Fix Central. 3. Apply patches following IBM documentation. 4. Restart affected services.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable HTTP Fallback Service
allDisable the vulnerable HTTP fallback service if not required
# Configuration varies by product - refer to IBM Aspera documentation
Restrict Network Access
allLimit network access to Aspera services to trusted sources only
# Use firewall rules to restrict access to Aspera ports
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation and firewall rules
- Disable HTTP fallback service if not essential for operations
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check IBM Aspera product versions against advisory and verify HTTP fallback service configurationCheck Version:
# Command varies by product - typically 'aspera' command line tools or checking package versionsVerify Fix Applied:
Verify installed version matches patched versions in IBM advisory and test service functionality📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual memory access patterns
- HTTP fallback service crashes
- Unexpected process terminations
Network Indicators:
- Abnormal traffic patterns to Aspera HTTP fallback ports
- Multiple connection attempts to vulnerable endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="aspera*" AND (event_type="crash" OR memory_usage>threshold)