CVE-2023-38735 in Cognos Dashboards on Cloud Pak for Data
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
IBM Cognos Dashboards on Cloud Pak for Data 4.7.0 could allow a remote attacker to bypass security restrictions, caused by a reverse tabnabbing flaw. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability and redirect a victim to a phishing site. IBM X-Force ID: 262482.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-38735 affects IBM Cognos Dashboards running within the Cloud Pak for Data 4.7.0 environment, representing a critical security weakness that enables unauthorized access through a reverse tabnabbing attack vector. This flaw specifically manifests in the web application's handling of external links and window management functions, creating an exploitable condition where malicious actors can manipulate browser behavior to redirect users to fraudulent websites. The vulnerability operates by leveraging the inherent trust relationships between web applications and user browsers, particularly when applications open external links in new tabs or windows without proper security controls. The reverse tabnabbing technique exploits the fact that when a new browser tab is opened, the original page can potentially gain control over the new tab's navigation, allowing attackers to redirect users to phishing sites that appear legitimate.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper window management within the IBM Cognos Dashboards interface, specifically in how the application handles external URL references and tab switching mechanisms. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious URLs that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, will redirect them to attacker-controlled domains while maintaining the appearance of legitimate dashboard navigation. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-601 as URL Redirection to Untrusted Site, which is a well-documented pattern of security weakness that enables social engineering attacks. The attack typically involves the exploitation of the window.open() JavaScript function or similar mechanisms that create new browser contexts, where the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the target URLs before execution. The vulnerability exists in the application's trust model, where it assumes that users will not be redirected to malicious sites when opening external links, creating a false sense of security.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-38735 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a significant risk for credential theft and data compromise through phishing attacks. When users are redirected to malicious sites, they may unknowingly enter sensitive credentials for legitimate services, or the phishing sites could be designed to harvest personal information, financial data, or corporate secrets. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where dashboard users may have elevated privileges or access to sensitive business intelligence. The attack surface is broad as the vulnerability affects all users of IBM Cognos Dashboards within the Cloud Pak for Data 4.7.0 environment, making it a high-priority target for exploitation. Organizations using this specific version of the software face potential risks of unauthorized access to business analytics, customer data, and operational intelligence that could be leveraged for further attacks or financial gain.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper URL validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's external link handling functions, while also addressing the core reverse tabnabbing issue through secure coding practices. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided patches and updates to resolve the vulnerability, as well as implement network-level controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious URL redirection attempts. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can help prevent unauthorized navigation from trusted applications to malicious domains, while user education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying URLs before entering credentials. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their dashboard environments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications, as reverse tabnabbing attacks are often part of broader exploitation strategies. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.002 which covers Phishing: Spearphishing Link, and represents a clear example of how web application security flaws can create entry points for sophisticated social engineering campaigns. The recommended approach includes both immediate patching and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues in future development cycles.