CVE-2024-28780 in Cognos Controller
Summary
by MITRE • 02/19/2025
IBM Cognos Controller 11.0.0 through 11.0.1 FP3 and IBM Controller 11.1.0 Rich Client
uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could allow an attacker to decrypt highly sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2025
IBM Cognos Controller versions 11.0.0 through 11.0.1 FP3 and IBM Controller 11.1.0 Rich Client contain a cryptographic vulnerability that undermines the security of sensitive data through the use of weaker than expected encryption algorithms. This weakness falls under the category of cryptographic failures as defined by CWE-327, specifically addressing the use of inadequate cryptographic algorithms that fail to provide the expected security level. The vulnerability stems from the implementation of encryption mechanisms that do not meet contemporary security standards, potentially allowing attackers to compromise data confidentiality through cryptographic attacks. The affected systems utilize encryption protocols that have been identified as insufficient for protecting highly sensitive information, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on these controller applications for financial and business data management. This cryptographic weakness directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of data processed within the IBM Cognos Controller environment, particularly affecting financial reporting and business intelligence data that typically contains sensitive corporate information.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's implementation of cryptographic functions where it employs algorithms that are either deprecated, improperly configured, or otherwise weakened compared to industry standards. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by leveraging known weaknesses in the encryption implementation to decrypt sensitive data that should remain protected. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure as the compromised encryption can potentially enable further attacks including credential theft, data manipulation, and unauthorized access to business-critical information. This vulnerability creates a persistent risk for organizations using these controller versions, as the weakness exists at the core encryption layer rather than being a surface-level issue. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that IBM Controller applications are typically used for enterprise financial reporting and business planning processes where data sensitivity is extremely high.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial for organizations utilizing IBM Cognos Controller in their business intelligence and financial reporting infrastructure. Companies may experience unauthorized access to sensitive financial data, potential regulatory compliance violations, and increased risk of financial fraud or data breaches. The vulnerability affects not only the data at rest but also potentially data in transit, depending on the specific implementation details of the cryptographic protocols. Organizations may face significant financial losses due to data exposure, regulatory penalties, and potential legal consequences from data breach incidents. The attack vector for exploitation typically involves an attacker with network access to the controller environment who can intercept or analyze the cryptographic implementations to identify and exploit the weaknesses. This creates a risk for both internal and external threats, as the vulnerability exists within the core application functionality rather than being dependent on external factors.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of IBM Cognos Controller to address this cryptographic vulnerability and ensure proper encryption implementation. The recommended mitigation includes applying the latest security patches from IBM that address the specific cryptographic weaknesses identified in the affected versions. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any instances of the vulnerable software within their environment and implement proper monitoring for potential exploitation attempts. Additional security controls such as network segmentation, enhanced access controls, and regular security audits should be implemented to reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing additional data protection measures including tokenization or additional encryption layers to protect sensitive data even if the primary cryptographic vulnerability is not immediately addressed. The vulnerability represents a critical risk that requires immediate attention to prevent potential data breaches and maintain compliance with industry security standards and regulatory requirements.