CVE-2010-0557 in Cognos Express
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Cognos Express 9.0 allows attackers to obtain unspecified access to the Tomcat Manager component, and cause a denial of service, by leveraging hardcoded credentials.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0557 affects IBM Cognos Express 9.0, a business intelligence platform that relies on Apache Tomcat as its underlying application server. This issue represents a critical security flaw that stems from the improper handling of authentication credentials within the Tomcat Manager component, which is a web-based interface designed for managing deployed applications. The vulnerability enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to the system through hardcoded credentials that are embedded within the software installation, bypassing normal authentication mechanisms. This flaw specifically targets the Tomcat Manager web application interface, which is typically used for deploying, undeploying, starting, and stopping web applications, making it a highly valuable target for malicious actors seeking system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the presence of default or hardcoded credentials within the IBM Cognos Express 9.0 software distribution, which are not properly secured or changed during installation. These hardcoded credentials provide attackers with direct access to the Tomcat Manager component, allowing them to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal effort from an attacker to exploit, as the credentials are already known and do not require additional reconnaissance or credential cracking attempts. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hardcoded credentials in software applications, and represents a classic example of poor security configuration management. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through standard web browser interactions, making it accessible to attackers with basic technical knowledge.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can lead to complete system compromise and denial of service conditions. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can deploy malicious web applications, modify existing deployments, stop critical services, or even execute arbitrary code on the target system. The denial of service aspect occurs when attackers leverage their access to stop essential services or deploy applications that consume excessive system resources, effectively rendering the system unusable for legitimate users. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on IBM Cognos Express for business intelligence and reporting, as it provides attackers with a direct path to compromise their data processing infrastructure. The impact is further amplified because the Tomcat Manager interface is often left accessible in production environments without proper access controls, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by anyone with knowledge of the hardcoded credentials.
Organizations affected by CVE-2010-0557 should immediately implement several mitigation strategies to protect their systems from exploitation. The primary remediation involves changing or removing the hardcoded credentials from the Tomcat Manager component, which requires careful configuration management and security hardening practices. System administrators should disable the Tomcat Manager interface entirely if it is not required for operations, or at minimum restrict access to it through firewall rules and network segmentation. The implementation of proper access controls and authentication mechanisms should be enforced, including the use of strong, unique credentials for all administrative interfaces. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar hardcoded credential issues throughout their software infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1499 which covers endpoint denial of service, highlighting the need for comprehensive security measures that address both authentication and availability concerns. Regular patching and vulnerability management programs should be implemented to prevent similar issues from occurring in future software releases and to maintain overall system security posture.