CVE-2020-4874 in Cognos Controller
Summary
by MITRE • 05/03/2024
IBM Cognos Controller 10.4.1, 10.4.2, and 11.0.0 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could allow an attacker to decrypt highly sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 190837.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2025
IBM Cognos Controller versions 10.4.1, 10.4.2, and 11.0.0 contain a cryptographic vulnerability that significantly weakens the security of sensitive data transmission and storage. This vulnerability stems from the implementation of cryptographic algorithms that fall below industry standards, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to compromise confidential business intelligence and financial data. The weakness manifests in the system's use of outdated or insufficiently robust encryption protocols that can be exploited through various attack methodologies including cryptographic analysis and brute force techniques.
The technical flaw specifically involves the use of cryptographic algorithms that do not provide adequate security margins against modern cryptanalytic attacks. This vulnerability allows attackers to potentially decrypt sensitive information that should remain protected through strong encryption mechanisms. The weakness exists in the underlying cryptographic implementation within the Cognos Controller platform, affecting both data at rest and data in transit. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in cryptographic implementation where the system fails to employ sufficient cryptographic strength, potentially leading to information disclosure and unauthorized access to corporate financial data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass significant business risks including financial fraud, competitive disadvantage, and regulatory compliance violations. Organizations using affected versions of IBM Cognos Controller face potential exposure of sensitive financial reports, budget allocations, and strategic business data that could be exploited for malicious purposes. The vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical business intelligence, potentially leading to substantial financial losses and reputational damage. This weakness particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on Cognos Controller for financial reporting and business analytics, where the exposure of sensitive data could have cascading effects across multiple business units and stakeholders.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for unsecured credentials and T1005 for data from local systems, as attackers could leverage weak cryptography to access stored sensitive information. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1041 for exfiltration through command and control channels, as compromised systems could be used to transmit stolen data. Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to patched versions of IBM Cognos Controller, implementing additional network segmentation measures, and conducting thorough security assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts. The recommended remediation involves applying the official IBM security patches and ensuring that all cryptographic implementations meet current industry standards for encryption strength and key management practices.