CVE-2020-4562 in Planning Analytics
Summary
by MITRE • 04/26/2021
IBM Planning Analytics 2.0 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information by allowing cross-window communication with unrestricted target origin via documentation frames.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2021
IBM Planning Analytics 2.0 contains a cross-origin resource sharing vulnerability that enables unauthorized information disclosure through improper restriction of cross-window communication. This flaw exists within the application's documentation frame implementation where unrestricted target origins permit malicious actors to establish communication channels between different windows or frames. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of origin parameters in the cross-window messaging mechanism, allowing attackers to manipulate document frames and extract sensitive data from other windows or domains. According to CWE-200, this represents a weakness in information disclosure where the system fails to properly restrict access to sensitive information. The flaw specifically relates to CWE-346, which addresses the lack of proper origin validation in cross-origin requests, making it susceptible to cross-site scripting attacks and information leakage. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where planning analytics applications handle sensitive business data, financial forecasts, and strategic planning information. The attack vector involves a remote attacker who can craft malicious content or exploit existing documentation frames to establish unauthorized communication channels. The operational impact includes potential exposure of confidential business intelligence, financial models, and strategic planning data that could be accessed through the compromised cross-window communication channel. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform data exfiltration, gain insights into organizational planning processes, and potentially identify business vulnerabilities that could be exploited further. The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure as this weakness could enable more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking or privilege escalation within the application context. Organizations using IBM Planning Analytics 2.0 should implement immediate mitigations including strict origin validation for all cross-window communication mechanisms, implementation of proper content security policies, and regular security assessments of document frame handling. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol: DNS, and specifically addresses the use of web protocols for information gathering and exfiltration. IBM has released patches addressing this vulnerability through their security bulletin updates, and organizations should ensure they apply the latest security fixes to prevent exploitation. The remediation process requires careful review of all cross-window communication implementations within the application to ensure proper origin validation and restriction of communication channels to trusted domains only. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and origin checking in modern web applications, particularly those handling sensitive enterprise data.