CVE-2021-29867 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

IBM Cognos Analytics versions 11.1.7 and 11.2.0 are susceptible to an authorization bypass vulnerability. An authenticated user could potentially view or modify a Jupyter notebook that should be restricted. The CVE was published on December 2, 2021, and has a CVSS base score of 5.4, falling under a medium severity rating.

Understanding CVE-2021-29867

This section will cover the key details related to CVE-2021-29867, including its impact and technical aspects.

What is CVE-2021-29867?

The vulnerability in IBM Cognos Analytics 11.1.7 and 11.2.0 allows authenticated users to access and manipulate Jupyter notebooks that should be off-limits to them. This security flaw could lead to unauthorized data viewing or modifications.

The Impact of CVE-2021-29867

With a CVSS base score of 5.4 (medium severity), this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information within the Jupyter notebooks. Exploitation of this flaw could result in confidentiality breaches and data integrity issues.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-29867

This section will delve deeper into the technical aspects of the CVE, including its vulnerability description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in IBM Cognos Analytics allows authenticated users to bypass access restrictions, enabling them to view or modify Jupyter notebooks that should be restricted.

Affected Systems and Versions

IBM Cognos Analytics versions 11.1.7 and 11.2.0 are impacted by this vulnerability, potentially affecting users of these specific versions.

Exploitation Mechanism

An authenticated user with access to the affected versions of IBM Cognos Analytics could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to Jupyter notebooks.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-29867, immediate actions and long-term security practices are recommended.

Immediate Steps to Take

IBM recommends updating the affected installations to the patched versions provided by the vendor to address the vulnerability. Regularly monitoring and restricting access to sensitive data can also help prevent unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing access controls, conducting regular security assessments, and ensuring timely software updates can enhance the overall security posture and prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

It is crucial for organizations using IBM Cognos Analytics 11.1.7 and 11.2.0 to apply official fixes and security updates released by IBM to remediate the vulnerability and enhance system security.