CVE-2021-38886 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2021-38886 affecting IBM Cognos Analytics versions 11.1.7, 11.2.0, and 11.1.7. Find out the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps for this CSRF vulnerability.
IBM Cognos Analytics versions 11.1.7, 11.2.0, and 11.1.7 have been identified as vulnerable to cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks. This vulnerability could potentially enable malicious actors to execute unauthorized actions through trusted user interactions. The CVE was published on April 21, 2022, by IBM and carries a CVSS v3.0 base score of 4.3 (Medium severity).
Understanding CVE-2021-38886
This section delves into the details of the CSRF vulnerability in IBM Cognos Analytics.
What is CVE-2021-38886?
The vulnerability in question exposes IBM Cognos Analytics to CSRF attacks, allowing threat actors to perform malicious actions through trusted user sessions.
The Impact of CVE-2021-38886
If exploited, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized and potentially harmful activities being carried out within the application.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-38886
Let's explore the technical aspects of the CVE.
Vulnerability Description
IBM Cognos Analytics versions 11.1.7, 11.2.0, and 11.1.7 are susceptible to CSRF attacks, which may be initiated through user trust relationships within the application.
Affected Systems and Versions
The affected versions include IBM Cognos Analytics 11.1.7, 11.2.0, and 11.1.7.
Exploitation Mechanism
To exploit this vulnerability, threat actors can craft specially engineered requests to execute unauthorized actions via a trusted user's session.
Mitigation and Prevention
Discover the necessary steps to mitigate and prevent the risks associated with CVE-2021-38886.
Immediate Steps to Take
Systems administrators and users are advised to implement security measures promptly, such as applying official fixes and updates to address the vulnerability.
Long-Term Security Practices
Instituting robust security protocols, user training on avoiding malicious activities, and regular security audits can help enhance overall cybersecurity posture.
Patching and Updates
Regularly monitoring and applying software patches and updates provided by IBM is crucial to protect systems from known vulnerabilities.