CVE-2020-4550 in i2 Analyst Notebook
Summary
by MITRE
IBM i2 Analyst Notebook 9.2.1 and 9.2.2 could allow a local attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by a memory corruption. By persuading a victim to open a specially-crafted file, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the system. IBM X-Force ID: 183318.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2020
IBM i2 Analyst Notebook version 9.2.1 and 9.2.2 contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables local privilege escalation through arbitrary code execution. This flaw resides in the application's handling of specially crafted files during the parsing process, creating a condition where memory boundaries are not properly validated. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization mechanisms within the file processing pipeline, allowing malicious data structures to overwrite adjacent memory segments. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious files that, when opened by an unsuspecting user, trigger memory corruption during the analysis notebook rendering process. The memory corruption occurs at the heap management level where the application fails to properly validate buffer sizes and memory allocation boundaries. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and represents a classic example of unsafe memory manipulation practices that have been documented in numerous security assessments. The attack vector requires user interaction through file opening, making it a local privilege escalation vulnerability that leverages social engineering tactics. When successfully exploited, the memory corruption allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the targeted user account, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient bounds checking during file parsing operations, particularly when processing complex data structures within analyst notebook files. This weakness creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate program execution flow through controlled memory corruption. The impact extends beyond simple code execution as it provides a foothold for further lateral movement within the network environment. The vulnerability affects systems where IBM i2 Analyst Notebook is installed and actively used, with the risk being highest when users frequently open external files or collaborate on shared workspaces. IBM's X-Force ID 183318 confirms the severity and exploitability of this issue, indicating that it has been actively monitored by the security community. The memory corruption vulnerability demonstrates how file format parsing errors can lead to critical security implications, as highlighted in various ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and execution through legitimate system processes. Organizations using this software should implement immediate mitigations including user education about opening untrusted files, application whitelisting controls, and prompt patch deployment. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices in enterprise analysis tools where user interaction with external data sources is common. Proper memory management and input validation are essential defensive measures that can prevent similar issues from occurring in other applications processing user-supplied data files. The security implications extend to compliance requirements where unauthorized code execution represents a significant risk to data integrity and system availability. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for regular security assessments of analysis tools that handle untrusted data inputs, particularly in environments where threat actors may attempt to leverage such weaknesses for persistent access.