CVE-2016-3032 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 X-Force ID: 114516.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2020
IBM Cognos Analytics version 11.0 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security weakness in the web-based user interface. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The flaw allows authenticated users to inject malicious JavaScript code into the application's web interface, potentially compromising the security of legitimate users within the same trusted session environment. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's processing pipeline.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate the application's intended behavior and potentially access sensitive session information. When a malicious user successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of other users' sessions, enabling credential theft, session hijacking, and unauthorized data access. The threat is particularly concerning because it operates within the trusted session environment, meaning that compromised sessions can access the full range of privileges associated with legitimate user accounts. This vulnerability specifically affects the web UI components of IBM Cognos Analytics, making it accessible through standard web browser interactions without requiring additional attack vectors.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1059.007 technique for scripting languages and T1531 for credential access through session manipulation. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges since it targets the web interface rather than system-level components, making it accessible to users with basic authentication credentials. Organizations running IBM Cognos Analytics 11.0 should implement immediate mitigations including input validation controls, proper output encoding, and comprehensive web application firewall rules. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper sanitization of user inputs within web applications, as it represents a failure in the application's defense-in-depth strategy. IBM has released patches and updates to address this vulnerability, and organizations should prioritize deployment of these security fixes to prevent exploitation by malicious actors.