CVE-2020-4966 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

IBM Security Identity Governance and Intelligence 5.2.6 vulnerability allows attackers to obtain sensitive information through insecure cookies.

Understanding CVE-2020-4966

This CVE involves a security issue in IBM Security Identity Governance and Intelligence version 5.2.6.

What is CVE-2020-4966?

IBM Security Identity Governance and Intelligence 5.2.6 fails to set the secure attribute on authorization tokens or session cookies, enabling attackers to potentially access sensitive cookie values.

The Impact of CVE-2020-4966

The vulnerability's CVSS base score is 4.3, indicating a medium severity issue. Attackers can exploit this weakness to intercept cookie values, compromising user data.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-4966

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in IBM Security Identity Governance and Intelligence 5.2.6 allows attackers to intercept cookie values, posing a risk to user privacy and data security.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Security Identity Governance and Intelligence
Vendor: IBM
Version: 5.2.6

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending a malicious HTTP link to users or embedding it in a website, enabling them to intercept cookie values transmitted over insecure connections.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-4966 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply official fixes provided by IBM to address the vulnerability promptly.
Educate users about the risks of clicking on unknown links to mitigate exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure cookie handling practices to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Regularly update and patch systems to address security vulnerabilities and enhance overall protection.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems running IBM Security Identity Governance and Intelligence are updated with the latest patches and security fixes to mitigate the risk of exploitation.