CVE-2017-1779 in Cognos Analytics
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Cognos Analytics 11.0 could store cached credentials locally that could be obtained by a local user. IBM X-Force ID: 136824.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2021
IBM Cognos Analytics version 11.0 contains a security vulnerability that allows local users to access cached authentication credentials stored on the system. This flaw represents a critical weakness in the application's credential management and storage mechanisms, potentially exposing sensitive authentication information to unauthorized local access. The vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of cached credentials within its local storage architecture, creating an attack surface that malicious local users can exploit to gain unauthorized access to systems. This issue directly relates to CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling and storage practices. The vulnerability exists because the application stores authentication tokens and credentials in a manner that does not adequately protect them from local access attempts, violating fundamental security principles for credential management.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the application's caching mechanism that retains authentication data in local storage locations without proper encryption or access controls. When IBM Cognos Analytics processes authentication requests, it maintains cached credentials in memory or local files that remain accessible to any user with local system access. This design flaw creates a persistent security risk where even legitimate local users who should not have access to administrative credentials can potentially retrieve cached authentication information. The vulnerability demonstrates poor separation of privileges and inadequate sandboxing of sensitive data within the application's architecture, allowing privilege escalation through local credential access. Attackers can leverage this weakness to obtain cached credentials and subsequently access protected systems, potentially leading to unauthorized administrative access or data breaches.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass potential system compromise and data exposure across enterprise environments. Local users who gain access to cached credentials can leverage these stolen authentication tokens to access additional systems or escalate their privileges within the network. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on IBM Cognos Analytics for business intelligence and reporting functions, as the cached credentials may provide access to sensitive business data, financial information, or proprietary reports. The risk is compounded when considering that local users may include employees with legitimate access who could misuse their privileges or compromised accounts that provide attackers with a foothold to escalate access within the organization. This weakness can be exploited as part of broader attack chains that lead to persistent access or lateral movement within enterprise networks, making it a significant concern for security operations teams.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability by ensuring proper credential handling and storage practices within IBM Cognos Analytics environments. The recommended approach includes disabling or restricting local credential caching mechanisms, implementing strong encryption for any cached data, and establishing proper access controls for local system resources. Security configurations should enforce strict privilege separation and ensure that cached credentials are not stored in easily accessible locations. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring and detection capabilities to identify unauthorized access attempts to local credential storage areas. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and systems within the enterprise environment. This vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to security best practices for credential management and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant security risks in enterprise applications. The issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1550.001 for legitimate credentials and T1078 for valid accounts, emphasizing the need for comprehensive access control and credential protection strategies across all enterprise systems.