CVE-2020-4951 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

IBM Cognos Analytics 11.1.7 and 11.2.0 contain a vulnerability that allows a local attacker to access sensitive information through locally cached browser data.

Understanding CVE-2020-4951

IBM Cognos Analytics versions 11.1.7 and 11.2.0 are affected by a security issue that could lead to information disclosure.

What is CVE-2020-4951?

This CVE refers to a vulnerability in IBM Cognos Analytics versions 11.1.7 and 11.2.0 that enables a local attacker to exploit locally cached browser data to obtain sensitive information.

The Impact of CVE-2020-4951

The vulnerability poses a medium severity risk with a CVSS base score of 4.0. It allows a local attacker to access confidential information without requiring any special privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-4951

IBM Cognos Analytics 11.1.7 and 11.2.0 are susceptible to information disclosure due to locally cached browser data.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Cognos Analytics allows a local attacker to retrieve sensitive information through the browser's cached data.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cognos Analytics
Vendor: IBM
Affected Versions: 11.1.7, 11.2.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The attacker needs local access to the system to exploit the vulnerability through the locally cached browser data.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-4951, follow these mitigation steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the official fix provided by IBM.
Monitor for any unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch IBM Cognos Analytics to prevent security vulnerabilities.
Educate users on safe browsing practices to minimize the risk of information disclosure.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that you install all security updates and patches released by IBM for Cognos Analytics.