CVE-2020-4723 in i2 Analyst Notebook
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2020
IBM i2 Analyst Notebook 9.2.0 and 9.2.1 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: 187873.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2020
IBM i2 Analyst Notebook version 9.2.0 and 9.2.1 contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enables local privilege escalation through arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory handling within the application's file processing mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate memory structures and gain elevated system privileges. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes specially crafted files, allowing an attacker to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the targeted user. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and CWE-122, stack-based buffer overflow, representing fundamental memory safety issues that have been consistently exploited in similar attack vectors. The attack requires social engineering to convince a victim to open a malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter untrusted content. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations relying on i2 Analyst Notebook for intelligence analysis and investigation workflows. The memory corruption issue can be leveraged to bypass standard security controls and potentially escalate privileges to system-level access, enabling attackers to access sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access points. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond immediate code execution to include potential data exfiltration and system compromise, particularly in environments where analysts handle sensitive intelligence data. This weakness creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly, as the application continues to process files without adequate memory protection mechanisms. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, highlighting the multi-stage nature of exploitation. Organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized binaries, while also deploying memory protection mechanisms such as data execution prevention and address space layout randomization. Regular patch management processes must be prioritized to ensure timely remediation of such vulnerabilities, as the window of opportunity for exploitation remains open until the vulnerability is properly addressed through vendor-supplied updates. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in enterprise applications and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing during development lifecycle phases.