CVE-2024-52902 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 client application contains hard coded database passwords in source code which could be used for unauthorized access to the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2025
IBM Cognos Controller versions 11.0.0 through 11.0.1 FP3 and IBM Controller 11.1.0 client application contain a critical security flaw where database passwords are hardcoded within the source code, creating a persistent vulnerability that adversaries can exploit for unauthorized system access. This vulnerability represents a severe configuration issue that violates fundamental security principles and exposes sensitive database credentials to potential attackers who may obtain the source code through various means such as code repositories, development environments, or through malicious actors who gain access to development systems. The presence of hardcoded credentials in source code directly maps to CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hardcoded credentials in software applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for unsecured credentials in source code. The flaw exists in the client application components of IBM Cognos Controller, making it particularly concerning as these applications are often deployed in enterprise environments where they may have elevated privileges and access to critical business data. When attackers discover these hardcoded passwords, they can immediately establish database connections without requiring additional authentication factors or exploiting other vulnerabilities, effectively bypassing normal security controls. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as these credentials may provide access to sensitive financial data, business intelligence, and other critical information managed by the controller system, potentially enabling data exfiltration, manipulation of financial records, or disruption of business operations. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face significant risk exposure since the hardcoded credentials are typically persistent across application deployments and may remain active for extended periods without detection. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited by both external attackers who gain access to source code repositories and internal threat actors who may have legitimate access to development environments but seek to escalate privileges. The operational impact includes potential data breaches, compliance violations, and significant financial losses due to unauthorized access to corporate financial data. The flaw also undermines the principle of least privilege and proper access control mechanisms that should be implemented in enterprise applications. Organizations should immediately implement remediation measures including identifying and removing hardcoded credentials from source code, implementing proper credential management practices, and conducting comprehensive security audits of all source code repositories. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper credential handling as outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001, which emphasize the need for secure configuration management and protection of sensitive data. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing automated code scanning tools to detect hardcoded credentials and other security vulnerabilities during the development lifecycle, ensuring that such issues are identified and resolved before deployment to production environments. The presence of this vulnerability in widely used enterprise applications underscores the critical importance of maintaining secure development practices and proper security hygiene throughout the software development lifecycle.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal effort once attackers obtain access to the source code, as they can simply extract the hardcoded credentials and use them to establish database connections. This type of vulnerability is classified as a configuration management failure and represents a direct violation of security best practices. The flaw impacts both the 11.0.x and 11.1.0 versions of the IBM Controller client application, indicating a widespread issue that affects multiple release versions. The implications extend to compliance requirements under regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and SOX, where organizations must protect sensitive data and maintain proper access controls. Security professionals should prioritize patching these vulnerable versions and implementing proper credential rotation procedures to prevent unauthorized access to database systems. The vulnerability also demonstrates the need for comprehensive security awareness training for development teams to prevent similar issues in future code development. Organizations should establish secure coding guidelines that specifically address credential management and avoid storing sensitive information in source code repositories. The remediation process should include not only updating to patched versions but also conducting thorough security assessments of existing deployments to ensure that no hardcoded credentials remain in operational systems. This vulnerability serves as a reminder that even well-established enterprise applications can contain fundamental security flaws that require continuous monitoring and proactive security measures to protect organizational assets and maintain regulatory compliance.