CVE-2015-1969 in Tivoli Common Reporting
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IBM Tivoli Common Reporting (TCR) 2.1 before IF13 and 2.1.1 before IF21, and TCR 3.1.x as used in Cognos Business Intelligence before 10.2 IF0015 and other products, allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2022
The CVE-2015-1969 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in IBM Tivoli Common Reporting (TCR) versions 2.1 before IF13 and 2.1.1 before IF21, alongside TCR 3.1.x versions used in Cognos Business Intelligence before 10.2 IF0015. This vulnerability operates within the realm of web application security and specifically targets the input validation mechanisms of these reporting platforms. The flaw allows authenticated attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content through specially crafted URLs, effectively bypassing the security controls that should normally prevent such code execution within the application context. The vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input parameters that are subsequently rendered in web pages without proper encoding or filtering. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that has been consistently identified as one of the top ten web application security risks by OWASP. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable attackers to hijack user sessions, redirect victims to malicious sites, or execute unauthorized commands within the context of the victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2015-1969 requires an attacker to have valid authentication credentials within the Tivoli Common Reporting environment, making it an authenticated XSS vulnerability. The attack vector specifically involves manipulating URL parameters that are not properly validated or sanitized before being processed and displayed to users. When a victim navigates to a maliciously crafted URL containing injected script code, the application fails to properly encode or escape the input, allowing the malicious payload to execute in the victim's browser. This execution occurs within the security context of the authenticated user, potentially granting the attacker elevated privileges or access to sensitive data that the user can normally access. The vulnerability's persistence and effectiveness are heightened by the fact that these reporting platforms often serve as central hubs for business intelligence and data visualization, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to compromise sensitive corporate information. The attack chain typically involves the attacker crafting a URL with malicious script content, obtaining access to the TCR system through legitimate authentication, and then persuading a victim user to click the malicious link, thereby executing the payload in the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1969 is significant for organizations utilizing affected versions of IBM Tivoli Common Reporting and Cognos Business Intelligence platforms. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to sensitive business intelligence data, potential session hijacking attacks that allow attackers to impersonate legitimate users, and possible data exfiltration through the execution of malicious scripts that can capture user credentials or extract information from the reporting environment. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly as long as the affected software versions remain in use, and the attack can be automated through social engineering tactics or by embedding malicious links in other compromised applications or services. Security teams may observe unusual network traffic patterns or user behavior anomalies that could indicate exploitation attempts, though the stealthy nature of XSS attacks can make detection challenging without proper monitoring and logging mechanisms in place. The vulnerability also poses risks to the broader enterprise environment, as compromised reporting systems may serve as stepping stones for further attacks or lateral movement within the network. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues if sensitive data is accessed or exfiltrated through this vulnerability, particularly in industries with strict data protection requirements such as finance, healthcare, or government sectors.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address CVE-2015-1969, beginning with immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available versions that contain the necessary security fixes. The recommended approach includes upgrading to IBM Tivoli Common Reporting 2.1 IF13 or later, 2.1.1 IF21 or later, or Cognos Business Intelligence 10.2 IF0015 and later versions. Additionally, organizations should implement robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms within their web applications, particularly focusing on URL parameter handling and user-supplied content processing. Network security controls such as web application firewalls and security monitoring systems should be configured to detect and block suspicious URL patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the enterprise environment. The implementation of security awareness training for users can help reduce the risk of successful social engineering attacks that may leverage this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing additional access controls and monitoring of administrative functions within the reporting platforms, as the vulnerability requires authenticated access, making privileged account protection crucial for overall security posture. These mitigations align with the ATT&CK framework's techniques for credential access and privilege escalation, emphasizing the importance of protecting authenticated sessions and limiting the attack surface through proper application hardening and security configuration practices.