# CVE-2020-4427: IBM Data Risk Manager - Authentication Bypass

> Live exploitation tracking for CVE-2020-4427 by the CrowdSec Live Exploit Tracker, built from real-world attack data crowdsourced from CrowdSec's global network.

Page: https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2020-4427

## Key facts

- **Exploitation phase:** Limited Exploitation. The vulnerability is known but shows very limited attacker interest or exploitation activity.
- **CVSS score:** 9.8
- **Public exploit available:** Yes
- **Affected products:** IBM Data Risk Manager
- **Weaknesses:** CWE-287 (Improper Authentication)
- **Tags:** enterprise_software

## Description

IBM Data Risk Manager 2.0.1, 2.0.2, 2.0.3, 2.0.4, 2.0.5, and 2.0.6 could allow a remote attacker to bypass security restrictions when configured with SAML authentication. By sending a specially crafted HTTP request, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to bypass the authentication process and gain full administrative access to the system. IBM X-Force ID: 180532.

## CrowdSec analysis

[CVE-2020-4427](https://euvd.enisa.europa.eu/vulnerability/CVE-2020-4427) is a critical vulnerability in IBM Data Risk Manager versions 2.0.1 through 2.0.6 that allows remote attackers to bypass SAML authentication by sending specially crafted HTTP requests. Exploiting this flaw could grant attackers full administrative access to the system, potentially leading to complete compromise of sensitive data and system controls.

CrowdSec has been tracking this vulnerability and its exploits since 29th of October 2025.

Insights from the CrowdSec network reveal that the attackers trying to exploit CVE-2020-4427 are composed of a fairly even mix of opportunistic and targeted actors. Some attackers employ preliminary reconnaissance, while others use indiscriminate scanning.
In addition, according to the CrowdSec network, attack volume against CVE-2020-4427 has dipped slightly compared to the previous week. Although still commonly targeted, the decline suggests a cooling-off period. Long-term relevance remains, but attention is waning.

Attackers exploit the authentication bypass by sending crafted requests to the `/albatross/saml/idpSelection` endpoint, often using the `userName=admin` parameter to gain unauthorized administrative access.

## Timeline

- 2020-05-07: CVE Published. CVE-2020-4427 is published to NVD.
- 2021-11-03: CISA KEV. CVE-2020-4427 is added to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog by CISA.
- 2022-05-03: CISA Remediation Deadline. Expiration of the CISA remediation deadline as described in [BOD 22-01](https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-22-01-reducing-significant-risk-known-exploited-vulnerabilities).
- 2025-10-29: Rule Released. CrowdSec releases a rule to detect CVE-2020-4427 exploitation attempts against the CrowdSec Network.
- 2025-11-05: CrowdSec First Seen. CrowdSec observes in-the-wild exploitation of CVE-2020-4427 for the first time.

## References

- https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6206875
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/180532
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-4427
- https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2020/CVE-2020-4427.yaml

## Live exploitation data

The [Live Exploit Tracker page](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2020-4427) follows observed exploitation activity for CVE-2020-4427. [Request an API key](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/request-api-key) for full access to its exploitation timeline, attacking IP addresses and blocklists.