Security Bulletin
Summary
IBM Cognos Analytics is affected by a security vulnerability. Apache Log4j is used by IBM Cognos Analytics as part of its logging infrastructure. This bulletin addresses the exposure to the Apache Log4j (CVE-2021-44228) vulnerability. Please note that this Security Bulletin has been superseded by Security Bulletin: IBM Cognos Analytics: Apache Log4j vulnerabilities (CVE-2021-45105, CVE-2021-44832). See References section below.
Vulnerability Details
DESCRIPTION: Apache Log4j could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by the failure to protect against attacker controlled LDAP and other JNDI related endpoints by JNDI features. By sending a specially crafted code string, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to load arbitrary Java code on the server and take complete control of the system. Note: The vulnerability is also called Log4Shell or LogJam.
CVSS Base score: 10
CVSS Temporal Score: See: https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/214921 for the current score.
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H)
Affected Products and Versions
IBM Cognos Analytics 11.2.x
IBM Cognos Analytics 11.1.x
IBM Cognos Analytics 11.0.6 to 11.0.13 FP4
Remediation/Fixes
If you have one of the listed affected versions, it is strongly recommended that you apply the most recent security update.
Two links have been provided for each Interim Fix. The majority of clients will access the Interim Fix via the link under Fix Version. For clients who have IBM Cognos Analytics by way of another product such as IBM Planning Analytics, IBM Cognos Controller, IBM OpenPages, etc. you will access the Interim Fix via the link under the Bundled Customers.
|
Affected Version |
Fix Version |
Bundled Customers |
|
IBM Cognos Analytics 11.2.x |
||
|
IBM Cognos Analytics 11.1.x |
IBM Cognos Analytics 11.1.7 Interim Fix 9 | IBM Cognos Analytics 11.1.7 Interim Fix 9 (Bundled) |
|
IBM Cognos Analytics 11.0.6 to 11.0.13 FP4 |
CVE-2021-44228 has been remediated on all IBM Cognos Analytics on Cloud environments.
Workarounds and Mitigations
The IBM Cognos Analytics team have developed a “no-upgrade” option for our “On Prem” (local installation) customers.
The single version of the patch is applicable to IBM Cognos Analytics versions 11.0.6 to 11.0.13 FP4, 11.1.x and 11.2.x.
The log4jSafeAgent file that is provided for Cognos Analytics modifies the class byte code at the Java startup time. It removes the vulnerable JNDI lookup, and enforces the StrSubstitutor recursion limit without altering the installed product.
It effectively rewrites the “org/apache/logging/log4j/core/lookup/JndiLookup” class to remove its content during IBM Cognos Analytics start up.
To get the patch and detailed instructions, click this link: log4jSafeAgent
Bundle Customers can use the following link: log4jSafeAgent Bundled
Get Notified about Future Security Bulletins
References
Acknowledgement
Change History
20 April 2022 Updated Fix Version links for CA 11.x Bundle Customers to point to latest Interim Fix that address Apache log4j vulnerabilities
13 Jan 2022 Updated Fix Version links for Bundle Customers to point to latest Interim Fixes that address Apache log4j vulnerabilities
10 Jan 2022: Updated Fix Version titles to reflect updated latest IF version available. Updated the reference to the latest Security Bulletin that supersedes this one. Added more technical context to the Workarounds / Mitigations section and clarifed the different links available in the Remediation / Fixes section.
30 Dec 2021: Fixed link to Security Bulletin link in References section
30 Dec 2021: Updated Fix Version titles to reflect updated IF version
21 Dec 2021: Updated Summary and Reference sections re: CVE-2021-45046
21 Dec 2021: Modified Mitigation instructions to point to .jar and .pdf
21 Dec 2021: Added Bundled Customer links to Remediation/Fixes section .
20 Dec 2021: Added direct link to mitigation instructions to Workarounds / Mitigations section
16 Dec 2021: Added no-upgrade option to Workarounds / Mitigations section
15 Dec 2021: Initial Publication
*The CVSS Environment Score is customer environment specific and will ultimately impact the Overall CVSS Score. Customers can evaluate the impact of this vulnerability in their environments by accessing the links in the Reference section of this Security Bulletin.
Disclaimer
Review the IBM security bulletin disclaimer and definitions regarding your responsibilities for assessing potential impact of security vulnerabilities to your environment.
Document Location
Worldwide
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Document Information
Modified date:
20 April 2022
UID
ibm16526474