CVE-2019-4724 in Cognos Analytics
Summary
by MITRE • 06/02/2021
IBM Cognos Analytics 11.0 and 11.1 could allow a remote attacker to obtain credentials from a user's browser via incorrect autocomplete settings in New Content Backup page. IBM X-Force ID: 172130.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2021
IBM Cognos Analytics versions 11.0 and 11.1 contain a critical security vulnerability that enables remote attackers to extract user credentials through improper autocomplete configuration on the New Content Backup page. This flaw represents a significant compromise of user authentication security and falls under the category of credential exposure vulnerabilities. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly disable autocomplete functionality on sensitive input fields, creating an avenue for attackers to harvest stored credentials from user browsers. The issue manifests when users navigate to the New Content Backup page where password fields are configured to allow browser autocomplete features, inadvertently exposing sensitive authentication data to malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the web application's HTML form attributes that control browser autocomplete behavior. When autocomplete is enabled on password fields, modern browsers automatically store and suggest previously entered credentials, including usernames and passwords. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious web pages or leveraging existing browser-based attacks that can access the autocomplete cache or intercept credential submissions. This particular vulnerability is classified as a weakness in input handling and authentication mechanisms, aligning with CWE-384 which addresses the use of weak or predictable authentication methods and CWE-200 which covers exposure of sensitive information. The flaw represents a direct violation of secure coding practices and proper authentication flow management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass potential system compromise and data breaches. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to IBM Cognos Analytics user accounts, potentially leading to full system compromise. The attack vector requires minimal sophistication as it relies on exploiting browser-based credential storage mechanisms rather than complex exploitation techniques. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by threat actors with basic technical skills. The consequences include unauthorized access to sensitive business intelligence data, potential privilege escalation, and the ability to perform administrative functions within the analytics platform. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on IBM Cognos Analytics for business intelligence and reporting, potentially exposing critical business data and operational insights.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including disabling autocomplete on all sensitive input fields within the IBM Cognos Analytics interface, particularly on password and authentication forms. The recommended solution involves modifying the HTML form attributes to include autocomplete="off" on all password input fields and sensitive data entry points. Security administrators should also conduct comprehensive audits of all web application forms to ensure proper autocomplete configuration across the entire platform. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing browser security policies that restrict credential storage and autocomplete functionality for enterprise applications. The mitigation strategy should align with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 controls for access control and information security management. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to detect similar configuration flaws in other applications and web interfaces. Organizations must also ensure that user education programs emphasize the importance of browser security settings and credential management practices to prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities.