CVE-2019-4174 in Cognos Controller
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Cognos Controller 10.2.0, 10.2.1, 10.3.0, 10.3.1, and 10.4.0 allows web pages to be stored locally which can be read by another user on the system. IBM X-Force ID: 158879.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2023
IBM Cognos Controller versions 10.2.0 through 10.4.0 contain a critical local file inclusion vulnerability that enables unauthorized data access through improper file handling mechanisms. This vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied input when processing web pages, creating a path for malicious actors to manipulate file storage and retrieval operations. The flaw specifically affects the local storage functionality where web pages are cached or saved to the system, allowing one user to potentially access files created by another user within the same system environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's web page storage mechanism which does not enforce proper access controls or user isolation when creating local file references. When users interact with the controller application, web content is stored locally on the system, but the storage process lacks adequate permission controls that would prevent cross-user file access. This creates a scenario where a compromised or malicious user can enumerate and read files that should be restricted to specific user contexts, effectively bypassing the application's intended security boundaries.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant breach of data confidentiality and system integrity within enterprise environments that rely on IBM Cognos Controller for financial reporting and business intelligence functions. The vulnerability can be exploited to gain access to sensitive financial data, business metrics, and potentially proprietary information that should remain isolated to specific user groups or departments. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform reconnaissance activities, gather intelligence about system configurations, and potentially escalate privileges through data exfiltration or further exploitation of related system components.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1074.001 for data staging through local data staging. Organizations utilizing these affected versions face increased risk of insider threats and external attacks that exploit the lack of proper file access controls. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential compliance violations under regulations such as SOX, GDPR, and other financial reporting standards that mandate strict data isolation and access controls. Security teams must implement immediate mitigations including access control hardening, file system permission reviews, and application-level input validation to prevent unauthorized cross-user file access.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected IBM Cognos Controller versions to the latest available releases that contain proper file access control implementations. System administrators must also conduct comprehensive file system audits to identify and remediate existing local file storage that may have been compromised. Network segmentation and privilege separation should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, monitoring solutions should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation process must also include user access reviews and implementation of proper logging mechanisms to track file creation and access activities within the controller environment.