CVE-2019-4555 in Cognos Analytics
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Cognos Analytics 11.0 and 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: 166204.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2024
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 CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before rendering it in web pages. The flaw allows authenticated users to inject malicious JavaScript code through input fields or parameters that are subsequently executed in the context of other users' sessions. The vulnerability specifically affects the web UI components of IBM Cognos Analytics, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers who have gained access to legitimate user accounts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates opportunities for session hijacking and credential theft within trusted user sessions. When malicious JavaScript code is injected into the application's web interface, it can capture user credentials, session tokens, or other sensitive information transmitted between the user and the server. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the context of a trusted session, meaning that attackers can leverage legitimate user permissions to access additional system resources or perform unauthorized actions. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials and T1531 which focuses on code injection methods.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated user to submit malicious input that gets processed by the web application without proper sanitization. IBM Cognos Analytics 11.0's web interface appears to inadequately filter or escape user-provided content, allowing attackers to embed JavaScript payloads that execute in the browser context of other users. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that IBM Cognos Analytics is typically used for business intelligence and reporting, meaning that users may have elevated privileges within the system. This creates a scenario where an attacker could potentially escalate privileges or access sensitive business data through credential theft or session manipulation.
Organizations using IBM Cognos Analytics 11.0 should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability. The most effective approach involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that correct the input validation flaws in the web interface. Additionally, implementing proper content security policies and input sanitization measures can help prevent malicious code execution. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in user behavior or data access that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable application components. Regular security assessments and user access reviews should be conducted to minimize the potential impact of credential theft and session hijacking attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust input validation controls across all web applications to prevent exploitation of similar cross-site scripting flaws.