CVE-2016-0398 in Cognos Analytics CA
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Cognos Analytics (CA) 11.0 before 11.0.2 allows remote attackers to conduct content-spoofing attacks via a crafted URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2024
IBM Cognos Analytics version 11.0 before 11.0.2 contains a content-spoofing vulnerability that enables remote attackers to manipulate the display of web content through maliciously crafted URLs. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and represents a significant security flaw that can be exploited to deceive users into believing they are interacting with legitimate system components while actually being presented with attacker-controlled content. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of URL parameters within the web application interface, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the application's behavior and presentation layer.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of URL parameters that control content delivery and display mechanisms within the Cognos Analytics platform. Attackers can craft specific URLs that bypass normal access controls and content validation procedures, potentially leading to the display of misleading information or unauthorized content. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the presentation layer where users interact directly with the system, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate and malicious content without proper validation mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-601 and CWE-79, representing insecure direct object references and cross-site scripting respectively, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.008 for content injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple content manipulation to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including phishing attempts, credential theft, and unauthorized data access. When users encounter spoofed content, they may unknowingly provide sensitive information or perform actions based on false representations of system state. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on Cognos Analytics for business intelligence and reporting, where the integrity of displayed data and system interfaces is critical for decision-making processes. The attack surface is broad as it affects all users with access to the web interface and can be exploited without requiring authentication or specialized tools beyond basic web browsing capabilities.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to IBM Cognos Analytics 11.0.2 or later versions that contain the necessary patches for this vulnerability. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and URL filtering mechanisms can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to detect and block suspicious URL patterns. Input validation should be strengthened at all application entry points to ensure that URL parameters are properly sanitized and validated before being processed. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application stack. Additionally, user awareness training should be implemented to help personnel recognize potential spoofing attempts and report suspicious activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing comprehensive security controls throughout the application lifecycle to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses in business intelligence platforms.