CVE-2019-4173 : Security Advisory and Response

IBM Cognos Controller versions 10.2.0, 10.2.1, 10.3.0, 10.3.1, and 10.4.0 are affected by a security vulnerability known as Optionsbleed, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Understanding CVE-2019-4173

IBM Cognos Controller versions 10.2.0, 10.2.1, 10.3.0, 10.3.1, and 10.4.0 have a security flaw that could be exploited by attackers to retrieve confidential data.

What is CVE-2019-4173?

The vulnerability in IBM Cognos Controller versions 10.2.0 to 10.4.0 allows unauthorized individuals to access sensitive information by exploiting the HTTP OPTIONS method.

The Impact of CVE-2019-4173

Attackers can retrieve confidential data from the system's memory by sending an OPTIONS HTTP request.
The flaw poses a high risk to the confidentiality of the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-4173

IBM Cognos Controller versions 10.2.0 to 10.4.0 are susceptible to unauthorized data access due to the Optionsbleed vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to read secret data from process memory, compromising sensitive information.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cognos Controller
Vendor: IBM
Affected Versions: 10.2.0, 10.2.1, 10.3.0, 10.3.1, 10.4.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Confidentiality Impact: High
Privileges Required: Low
Exploit Code Maturity: Unproven

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate action is necessary to secure systems vulnerable to CVE-2019-4173.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply official fixes provided by IBM to address the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unauthorized access or data breaches.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch IBM Cognos Controller to prevent security vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from IBM to protect against known vulnerabilities.