Security Bulletin: IBM Cognos Analytics: Apache Log4j vulnerability (CVE-2021-44228)

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 Please note that this Security Bulletin has been superseded by Security Bulletin: IBM Cognos Analytics: Apache Log4j vulnerabilities (CVE-2021-45105, CVE-2021-44832).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

CVEID:CVE-2021-44228
**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

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Fix Version

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Bundled Customers

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IBM Cognos Analytics 11.2.x

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IBM Cognos Analytics 11.2.1 Interim Fix 3

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IBM Cognos Analytics 11.2.1 Interim Fix 3 (Bundled)

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

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IBM Cognos Analytics 11.0.13 Interim Fix 5

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IBM Cognos Analytics 11.0.13 Interim Fix 5 (Bundled)

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