What is CVE-2011-4889?

CVE-2011-4889 is a critical-severity vulnerability in IBM Websphere Application Server, classified under CWE-254. CVSS score: 9.8/10. Published 2018-02-08.

How severe is CVE-2011-4889?

Critical severity. CVSS v3 base score is 9.8 out of 10.

Vulnerability in IBM Websphere Application Server

CVE-2011-4889

The javax.naming.directory.AttributeInUseException class in the Virtual Member Manager in IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) 6.1 before 6.1.0.43, 7.0 before 7.0.0.21, and 8.0 before 8.0.0.2 does not properly update passwords on a configuration using Tivoli Directory Server, which might allow remote attackers to gain access to an application by leveraging knowledge of an old password. IBM X-Force ID: 72581.

Published 2018-02-08 · last modified 2026-06-16.

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 9.8 (Critical). Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

EPSS exploit prediction

EPSS: 0.027 (85.2th percentile), scored 2026-09-29.

Low probability of exploitation in the next 30 days, but still tracked. 85th percentile — 85.2% of CVEs in the catalogue have a lower EPSS than this one. How to read EPSS.

EPSS over last 30 days · oldest: 0.027 · newest: 0.027 · change: 0.000

Affected products

IBM Websphere Application Server

Weakness classification (CWE)

CWE-254

References

www-304.ibm.com/support/docview.wss (Vendor Advisory)
exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/72581 (VDB Entry, vdb-entry, Vendor Advisory)

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2011-4889?: CVE-2011-4889 is a critical-severity vulnerability in IBM Websphere Application Server, classified under CWE-254. CVSS score: 9.8/10. Published 2018-02-08.
How severe is CVE-2011-4889?: Critical severity. CVSS v3 base score is 9.8 out of 10.