CVE-2016-3037 in Cognos TM1
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Cognos TM1 10.1 and 10.2 provides a service to return the victim's password with a valid session key. An authenticated attacker with user interaction could obtain this sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 114613.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3037 affects IBM Cognos TM1 versions 10.1 and 10.2, representing a critical security flaw in the enterprise performance management software. This issue resides within the authentication and session management mechanisms of the platform, specifically exposing sensitive credential information through an improperly secured service endpoint. The vulnerability operates under the CWE-200 weakness category, which encompasses information exposure vulnerabilities that allow unauthorized access to sensitive data. The flaw enables an authenticated attacker to exploit a service that is designed to return password information when provided with a valid session key, creating a significant risk for organizations utilizing this business intelligence platform.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient access controls within the TM1 service architecture. When an authenticated user interacts with the vulnerable system, the service accepts a valid session key and subsequently returns the associated password information without proper authorization checks. This design flaw creates a path for privilege escalation and credential theft, as the attacker can leverage legitimate session tokens to extract sensitive authentication data. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1550.001, which covers legitimate credentials, and demonstrates how attackers can exploit authenticated sessions to gain access to additional credential information. The service's failure to properly validate session legitimacy and implement proper authorization controls creates an exploitable condition that bypasses normal security boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3037 extends beyond simple credential theft, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive business intelligence data. Organizations using affected TM1 versions face potential exposure of financial reports, strategic planning data, and other confidential business information that could be accessed by unauthorized parties. The vulnerability's requirement for authentication means that attackers must first obtain valid user credentials through other means, but once achieved, they can leverage this flaw to extract additional password information. This creates a dangerous scenario where attackers can systematically harvest credentials from the system, potentially leading to lateral movement within the network and access to additional systems that may share similar authentication mechanisms. The exposure of password information through this service creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on TM1 for critical business operations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant IBM security patches and updates that address this vulnerability. System administrators should also review and tighten session management policies, ensuring that session keys are properly validated and that services returning credential information are restricted to authorized access only. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of session key usage and credential information requests. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms, as outlined in security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. Additional defensive measures include implementing multi-factor authentication for privileged accounts, regular security assessments of authentication services, and maintaining strict access controls for administrative functions. Organizations should also consider implementing security information and event management solutions to monitor for potential exploitation attempts of this vulnerability.