CVE-2019-4729 in Cognos Analytics
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Cognos Analytics 11.0 and 11.1 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information when a detailed technical error message is returned in the browser. This information could be used in further attacks against the system. IBM X-Force ID: 172519.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2024
IBM Cognos Analytics versions 11.0 and 11.1 contain a vulnerability that exposes sensitive system information through detailed error messages returned to remote attackers. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that can significantly impact the security posture of affected systems. The vulnerability occurs when the application generates technical error messages that contain internal system details, stack traces, or configuration information that should remain confidential. Such exposure creates opportunities for attackers to gather intelligence about the underlying infrastructure, software versions, and potential attack vectors. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which specifically addresses the exposure of internal implementation details through error messages, and falls under the broader category of information disclosure weaknesses that are frequently exploited in initial reconnaissance phases of cyber attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient error handling mechanisms within the IBM Cognos Analytics web application framework. When certain processing errors occur during user interactions or system operations, the application returns comprehensive error responses that include not only user-facing messages but also detailed technical information about the system's internal state. This includes database connection details, file paths, internal API endpoints, and potentially sensitive configuration parameters. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any attacker who can reach the affected system. The error messages often contain stack traces that reveal the application's architecture and component structure, providing attackers with valuable insights for planning more sophisticated attacks. This weakness directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1212, which involves the exploitation of information exposure through detailed error messages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to conduct more targeted and effective attacks against the compromised system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can use the gathered information to identify potential weaknesses in the application's security model, understand the underlying technology stack, and potentially discover additional vulnerabilities. The exposure of internal system details can facilitate privilege escalation attempts, help attackers bypass security controls, or provide information needed for more advanced exploitation techniques. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the system by providing unauthorized access to information that should remain protected. Organizations running these affected versions of IBM Cognos Analytics face increased risk of successful compromise, as the detailed error information can serve as a roadmap for attackers to identify and exploit additional vulnerabilities within the same system or related components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper error handling mechanisms that prevent the disclosure of sensitive information in error responses. Organizations should configure their IBM Cognos Analytics installations to return generic error messages to end users while logging detailed technical information internally for administrative purposes only. The implementation of comprehensive logging and monitoring solutions can help detect exploitation attempts and provide forensic evidence for incident response activities. Regular security updates and patches from IBM should be applied immediately to address this vulnerability, as the vendor has likely provided remediation measures in their security bulletins. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected systems to untrusted networks. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar information disclosure issues within their broader technology infrastructure. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts targeting this and similar vulnerabilities.