CVE-2025-0975 Overview
IBM MQ 9.3 LTS, 9.3 CD, 9.4 LTS, and 9.4 CD console could allow an authenticated user to execute code due to improper neutralization of escape characters. This vulnerability affects the IBM MQ Appliance management console, where specially crafted input containing escape sequences can bypass input validation and lead to arbitrary code execution within the context of the application.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can exploit improper escape character handling to execute arbitrary code on affected IBM MQ Appliance systems, potentially compromising message queue infrastructure and sensitive enterprise data.
Affected Products
- IBM MQ Appliance 9.3 LTS
- IBM MQ Appliance 9.3 CD (Continuous Delivery)
- IBM MQ Appliance 9.4 LTS
- IBM MQ Appliance 9.4 CD (Continuous Delivery)
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-02-28 - CVE-2025-0975 published to NVD
- 2025-07-03 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-0975
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-150 (Improper Neutralization of Escape, Meta, or Control Sequences). The IBM MQ console fails to properly sanitize escape characters within user-supplied input, allowing authenticated users to inject malicious sequences that the application interprets as control commands rather than literal data.
The vulnerability resides in the web-based management console of IBM MQ Appliance. When processing user input through the console interface, the application does not adequately filter or encode escape sequences. This allows attackers with valid authentication credentials to craft input that breaks out of the intended data context and executes arbitrary code on the underlying system.
Given that this is a network-accessible vulnerability requiring only low-privilege authentication with no user interaction, the attack surface is significant for organizations exposing the MQ console to broader network segments.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of escape characters in the IBM MQ console's input processing logic. The console fails to properly encode or strip escape sequences (such as ANSI escape codes, terminal control sequences, or shell metacharacters) before passing user input to backend processing functions. This allows specially crafted input to escape the intended data context and be interpreted as executable commands.
Attack Vector
The attack is network-based and requires an authenticated user session on the IBM MQ console. An attacker with valid credentials (even low-privilege ones) can submit malicious input containing escape character sequences through the console interface. The application processes these sequences without proper neutralization, leading to code execution.
The attack flow typically involves:
- Attacker authenticates to the IBM MQ console with valid credentials
- Attacker identifies input fields that process user data without proper escape character handling
- Attacker crafts a payload containing escape sequences designed to break out of the data context
- The console processes the malicious input and executes the injected code with application privileges
Due to the nature of escape character injection, payloads may vary depending on the underlying processing context. Technical details regarding specific exploitation techniques should be obtained from the IBM Security Advisory.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-0975
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual or unexpected escape character sequences in MQ console access logs
- Authentication events followed by anomalous command execution on MQ Appliance systems
- Unexpected process spawning or system calls originating from MQ console processes
- Modified configuration files or unauthorized changes to queue manager settings
Detection Strategies
- Monitor IBM MQ console access logs for requests containing suspicious escape sequences or control characters
- Implement network-level detection for anomalous traffic patterns to MQ console endpoints
- Deploy behavioral monitoring to detect unexpected code execution from MQ console processes
- Configure SentinelOne Singularity to detect process injection and suspicious child process creation from MQ components
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable detailed logging for all IBM MQ console authentication and administrative actions
- Implement real-time alerting for any code execution attempts originating from MQ console processes
- Monitor system integrity on MQ Appliance hosts for unauthorized file modifications
- Correlate MQ console access with downstream system activity to identify post-exploitation behavior
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-0975
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the security patch provided by IBM as documented in the IBM Support Document
- Restrict network access to the IBM MQ console to trusted administrative networks only
- Review and audit all user accounts with access to the MQ console, removing unnecessary privileges
- Enable enhanced logging on MQ Appliance systems to capture potential exploitation attempts
Patch Information
IBM has released security updates addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should apply the patches documented in the IBM Security Advisory (Node 7183467) as soon as possible. The fix addresses the improper neutralization of escape characters in affected versions of IBM MQ Appliance including 9.3 LTS, 9.3 CD, 9.4 LTS, and 9.4 CD.
Workarounds
- Implement network segmentation to restrict MQ console access to dedicated management networks
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) in front of the MQ console to filter potentially malicious escape sequences
- Apply the principle of least privilege by limiting the number of users with console access
- Consider disabling the web console temporarily if not operationally required until patches can be applied
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
