CVE-2020-4886 in InfoSphere Information Server
Summary
by MITRE • 11/13/2020
IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7 stores sensitive information in the browser's history that could be obtained by a user who has access to the same system. IBM X-Force ID: 190910.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2020
IBM InfoSphere Information Server version 11.7 contains a security vulnerability that allows sensitive data to be stored in browser history, creating a potential exposure risk for users who have access to the same system. This issue stems from the application's handling of authentication tokens, session identifiers, and other confidential information that gets written to the browser's history cache. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insecure data storage in client-side components, where sensitive information flows through the browser interface without proper sanitization or secure handling mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests when users navigate through the information server interface, causing authentication parameters, query strings, or other sensitive data to be recorded in the browser's navigation history. This occurs because the application does not properly implement secure coding practices to prevent sensitive information from being embedded in URL parameters or stored in browser caches. The vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and specifically aligns with CWE-549, which covers the exposure of sensitive information through the user interface. From an attack perspective, this weakness enables information disclosure attacks where an adversary with access to the same system can retrieve sensitive data from browser history entries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for privilege escalation and unauthorized access to sensitive data within the information server environment. When multiple users share the same system or when an attacker gains access to a victim's browser history, they can extract session tokens, authentication credentials, or other confidential information that would otherwise remain protected. This vulnerability directly maps to several tactics in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to credential access and defense evasion. The risk is amplified in enterprise environments where multiple users may share computing resources or when system administrators have access to user systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling browser history for sensitive applications, implementing proper URL parameter sanitization, and ensuring that authentication tokens are not passed through URL parameters. The recommended approach involves configuring the application to use POST requests for sensitive operations rather than GET requests, implementing secure session management practices, and ensuring that browser caching is properly configured to prevent sensitive data storage. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing browser security policies that prevent automatic saving of sensitive URLs to history and establish proper access controls for shared computing environments. Regular security assessments should verify that sensitive data is not being inadvertently exposed through browser history mechanisms, and that proper input validation is implemented across all application interfaces.