Security Bulletin: Due to use of Apache Log4j, IBM Watson Explorer is vulnerable to arbitrary code execution (CVE-2021-44832, CVE-2021-45046) and denial of service (CVE-2021-45105)

Summary

Apache Log4j is used by IBM Watson Explorer to log system events for diagnostics. This bulletin provides a remediation for the security vulnerabilities (CVE-2021-44832, CVE-2021-45105, and CVE-2021-45046) by upgrading IBM Watson Explorer to Apache Log4j v2.17.1.

Vulnerability Details

CVEID:CVE-2021-44832
**DESCRIPTION:**Apache Log4j could allow a remote attacker with permission to modify the logging configuration file to execute arbitrary code on the system. By constructing a malicious configuration using a JDBC Appender with a data source referencing a JNDI URI , an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute remote code.
CVSS Base score: 6.6
CVSS Temporal Score: See: https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/216189 for the current score.
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)

CVEID:CVE-2021-45105
**DESCRIPTION:**Apache Log4j is vulnerable to a denial of service, caused by the failure to protect from uncontrolled recursion from self-referential lookups. A remote attacker with control over Thread Context Map (MDC) input data could craft malicious input data that contains a recursive lookup to cause a StackOverflowError that will terminate the process. Note: The vulnerability is also called LOG4J2-3230.
CVSS Base score: 7.5
CVSS Temporal Score: See: https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/215647 for the current score.
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H)

CVEID:CVE-2021-45046
**DESCRIPTION:**Apache Log4j could result in remote code execution, caused by an incomplete fix of CVE-2021-44228 in certain non-default configurations. When the logging configuration uses a non-default Pattern Layout with a Context Lookup, an attacker with control over Thread Context Map (MDC) input data can craft malicious input data using a JNDI Lookup pattern to leak sensitive information and remote code execution in some environments and local code execution in all environments.
CVSS Base score: 9
CVSS Temporal Score: See: https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/215195 for the current score.
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H)

Affected Products and Versions

12.0.0.0,

12.0.1,

12.0.2.0 - 12.0.2.2,

12.0.3.0 - 12.0.3.8

IBM Watson Explorer Deep Analytics Edition Analytical Components|

12.0.0.0,

12.0.1,

12.0.2.0 - 12.0.2.2,

12.0.3.0 - 12.0.3.8

IBM Watson Explorer Deep Analytics Edition oneWEX|

12.0.0.0, 12.0.0.1

12.0.1,

12.0.2.0 - 12.0.2.2,

12.0.3.0 - 12.0.3.8

IBM Watson Explorer
Foundational Components| 11.0.0.0 - 11.0.0.3,
11.0.1,
11.0.2.0 -
11.0.2.12
IBM Watson Explorer Analytical Components| 11.0.0.0 - 11.0.0.3,
11.0.1,
11.0.2.0 -
11.0.2.12
IBM Watson Explorer Content Analytics Studio| 12.0.0, 12.0.1, 12.0.2, 12.0.3
IBM Watson Explorer Content Analytics Studio| 11.0.0.0 - 11.0.0.3,
11.0.1, 11.0.2.0 - 11.0.2.2

Remediation/Fixes

12.0.0.0,

12.0.1,

12.0.2.0 - 12.0.2.2, 12.0.3.0 - 12.0.3.8

| Upgrade to Version 12.0.3.9.

See Watson Explorer Version 12.0.3.9 Foundational Components for download information and instructions.

IBM Watson Explorer Deep Analytics Edition Analytical Components| 12.0.0.0, 12.0.1, 12.0.2.0 - 12.0.2.2, 12.0.3.0 - 12.0.3.8|

Upgrade to Version 12.0.3.9.

See Watson Explorer Version 12.0.3.9 Analytical Components for download information and instructions.

IBM Watson Explorer Deep Analytics Edition oneWEX| 12.0.0.0, 12.0.0.1, 12.0.1, 12.0.2.0 - 12.0.2.2, 12.0.3.0 - 12.0.3.8|

Upgrade to Version 12.0.3.9.

See Watson Explorer Version 12.0.3.9 oneWEX for download information and instructions.

IBM Watson Explorer
Foundational Components| 11.0.0.0 - 11.0.0.3,
11.0.1,
11.0.2.0 -
11.0.2.12|

Upgrade to Version 11.0.2.13.

See Watson Explorer Version 11.0.2.13 Foundational Components for download information and instructions.

IBM Watson Explorer Analytical Components| 11.0.0.0 - 11.0.0.3,
11.0.1,
11.0.2.0 -
11.0.2.12|

Upgrade to Version 11.0.2.13.

See Watson Explorer Version 11.0.2.13 Analytical Components for download information and instructions.

IBM Watson Explorer Content Analytics Studio| 12.0.0, 12.0.1, 12.0.2, 12.0.3|

1. If you have not already installed, install Version 12.0.3. For information about Version 12.0.3, and links to the software and release notes, see the download document.
2. Download the interim fix from Fix Central: 12.0.3.0-WS-WatsonExplorer-DAEAnalytical-CAStudio-IF002.
3. To apply the fix, follow the steps below.

1. Delete `%CA_STUDIO_INSTALL_DIR%\plugins\com.hp.hpl.jena_2.11.0` folder
2. Extract the interim fix zip file to the `%CA_STUDIO_INSTALL_DIR%\plugins` folder
3. Run command `%CA_STUDIO_INSTALL_DIR%\studio.exe -clean` in Command Prompt  

IBM Watson Explorer Content Analytics Studio| 11.0.0.0 - 11.0.0.3,
11.0.1, 11.0.2.0 - 11.0.2.2|

1. If you have not already installed, install Version 11.0.2.2.

* For information about Version 11.0.2, and links to the software and release notes, see the [download document](<https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/724425>).
* For information about upgrading, see the [upgrade procedures](<http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg27049072>).For information about Version 11.0.2.2, see the [download document](<http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg24044331>).

2. Download the interim fix from Fix Central: 11.0.2.2-WS-WatsonExplorer-AEAnalytical-CAStudio-IF002.
3. To apply the fix, follow the steps below.

1. Delete `%CA_STUDIO_INSTALL_DIR%\plugins\com.hp.hpl.jena_2.11.0` folder
2. Extract the interim fix zip file to the `%CA_STUDIO_INSTALL_DIR%\plugins` folder
3. Run command `%CA_STUDIO_INSTALL_DIR%\studio.exe -clean` in Command Prompt  

Workarounds and Mitigations

None