CVE-2016-3015 in Cognos Analytics
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Cognos Analytics 11.0 is vulnerable to cross-site scripting. This vulnerability allows users to embed arbitrary JavaScript code in the Web UI thus altering the intended functionality potentially leading to credentials disclosure within a trusted session. IBM Reference #: 1998887.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2020
IBM Cognos Analytics version 11.0 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security flaw in the web-based user interface. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, where malicious actors can inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the application's web interface. The flaw specifically affects the web UI components that process user input without proper sanitization or validation mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that get executed in the context of authenticated user sessions, potentially compromising the security of the entire system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to manipulate the intended functionality of the application. When users interact with the compromised interface, the injected JavaScript code executes within their browser, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within trusted sessions, meaning that attackers can leverage existing user permissions and credentials to perform actions that would normally require explicit authentication. This creates a scenario where legitimate users' sessions become compromised, potentially leading to data exfiltration, credential theft, or unauthorized system modifications.
This vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access and credential access. The attack vector involves exploiting a web application vulnerability to gain a foothold within the target environment, while the credential disclosure aspect corresponds to techniques used for harvesting authentication tokens or session information. The IBM reference number 1998887 indicates that this was properly documented and tracked by the vendor, emphasizing the severity of the issue. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise enterprise analytics platforms. Organizations using IBM Cognos Analytics 11.0 face significant risk of unauthorized access to business intelligence data and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application framework. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts, while also applying the latest security patches and updates provided by IBM. Regular security assessments of the web interface components should be conducted to identify potential injection points, and user input should be strictly validated and sanitized before processing. Additionally, implementing proper content security policies and disabling unnecessary JavaScript functionality can significantly reduce the attack surface. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while user education regarding phishing and social engineering tactics remains crucial for overall security posture. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in enterprise web applications, particularly those handling sensitive business data and user credentials.