CVE-2020-4951 in Cognos Analytics
Summary
by MITRE • 10/15/2021
IBM Cognos Analytics 11.1.7 and 11.2.0 contains locally cached browser data, that could allow a local attacker to obtain sensitive information.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2021
IBM Cognos Analytics version 11.1.7 and 11.2.0 suffers from a vulnerability that allows local attackers to access sensitive information through locally cached browser data. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of browser cache mechanisms within the application's web interface, creating potential information disclosure risks for users who interact with the analytics platform. The flaw specifically affects the browser-based components of the software where cached data may retain sensitive session information, authentication tokens, or data access credentials that should not persist in local storage. According to CWE-200, this represents an information exposure vulnerability where sensitive data is inadvertently made available to unauthorized parties through insecure data handling practices. The vulnerability manifests when users access the Cognos Analytics web interface and their browsers cache various elements including potentially sensitive information that could be retrieved by local attackers with access to the same system. This issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which involves credential access through local system compromises and cache manipulation. The operational impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as attackers could potentially reconstruct user sessions, access restricted dashboards, or gain unauthorized insights into organizational data analytics. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability would need local access to the victim's machine to retrieve cached data, making it a local privilege escalation vector rather than a remote attack surface. The risk is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where multiple users may share workstations or where security policies are not properly enforced to prevent unauthorized access to cached browser data. Organizations utilizing IBM Cognos Analytics should consider the potential for session hijacking and unauthorized data access when evaluating their security posture. The vulnerability represents a failure in proper cache management and data sanitization practices within the web application framework. IBM has addressed this issue in subsequent releases through improved browser cache handling and enhanced data protection mechanisms. System administrators should implement comprehensive cache clearing policies and ensure that browser security configurations properly handle sensitive data retention. Regular security assessments should include verification of cache management practices and proper session handling to prevent similar information exposure vulnerabilities from affecting the organization's analytics infrastructure. The remediation approach typically involves updating to patched versions of IBM Cognos Analytics and implementing browser security policies that prevent sensitive data from persisting in local cache storage. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring for anomalous access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts targeting cached data. Proper application security training for developers working with Cognos Analytics components is essential to prevent similar cache-related vulnerabilities in future implementations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of considering all data handling aspects within web applications, particularly when dealing with sensitive business intelligence and analytics platforms where unauthorized access could significantly impact organizational security and competitive advantage.