CVE-2025-14790: IBM InfoSphere Information Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2025-14790 Overview

IBM InfoSphere Information Server versions 11.7.0.0 through 11.7.1.6 contains a vulnerability that could allow an attacker to obtain sensitive information due to insufficiently protected credentials. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials), indicating that the application fails to adequately safeguard user credentials during storage, transmission, or processing.

Critical Impact

Attackers with low-level privileges can exploit this network-accessible vulnerability to extract sensitive credential information, potentially leading to unauthorized access to enterprise data integration systems and downstream data sources.

Affected Products

• IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7.0.0
• IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7.1.0 through 11.7.1.5
• IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7.1.6

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-03-25 - CVE-2025-14790 published to NVD
• 2026-03-26 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-14790

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from insufficiently protected credentials within IBM InfoSphere Information Server. The weakness allows authenticated attackers with low privileges to access sensitive credential data that should be protected by the application. Since InfoSphere Information Server is an enterprise data integration platform that connects to numerous data sources, compromised credentials could provide attackers with access to connected databases, data warehouses, and other enterprise systems.

The vulnerability requires network access and low-level authentication to exploit, but does not require user interaction. The impact is limited to confidentiality—attackers can read sensitive information but cannot modify data or cause system unavailability.

Root Cause

The root cause is classified as CWE-522: Insufficiently Protected Credentials. This occurs when an application transmits or stores authentication credentials using insecure methods that are vulnerable to unauthorized interception or retrieval. In the context of IBM InfoSphere Information Server, this likely involves one or more of the following scenarios:

• Credentials stored in configuration files without adequate encryption
• Weak encryption algorithms or hardcoded encryption keys used to protect stored credentials
• Insufficient access controls on credential storage locations
• Credentials exposed through application interfaces or logs

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, meaning an attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely over a network connection. The exploitation flow involves:

1. Initial Access: Attacker obtains low-privilege authenticated access to the IBM InfoSphere Information Server environment
2. Credential Discovery: Attacker locates and accesses insufficiently protected credential storage mechanisms
3. Information Extraction: Attacker retrieves sensitive credentials that may include database connection strings, service account passwords, or API keys
4. Lateral Movement: Extracted credentials can be used to access connected data sources and expand the scope of the breach

Since no verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available, the exact exploitation mechanism should be referenced from the IBM Support Page for technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-14790

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual access patterns to credential storage locations or configuration files within the InfoSphere Information Server installation
• Anomalous authentication attempts using service accounts associated with InfoSphere connections
• Unexpected queries or exports targeting credential-related data structures
• Access to sensitive configuration directories by low-privilege users

Detection Strategies

• Monitor file access logs for reads to credential storage locations such as configuration files, keystores, and property files
• Implement User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) to detect abnormal access patterns by authenticated users
• Enable detailed audit logging on InfoSphere Information Server to track privileged operations
• Deploy Data Loss Prevention (DLP) rules to detect credential patterns leaving the environment

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging in IBM InfoSphere Information Server and forward logs to a SIEM solution for correlation
• Monitor for authentication anomalies in connected data sources that may indicate use of stolen credentials
• Establish baseline access patterns for legitimate users and alert on deviations
• Review access control lists on InfoSphere configuration directories regularly

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-14790

Immediate Actions Required

• Review and apply the latest security patches from IBM for InfoSphere Information Server versions 11.7.0.0 through 11.7.1.6
• Audit current credential storage mechanisms and ensure proper encryption is applied
• Rotate all credentials stored within InfoSphere Information Server as a precautionary measure
• Restrict network access to InfoSphere Information Server management interfaces to authorized personnel only

Patch Information

IBM has released a security update addressing this vulnerability. Organizations running IBM InfoSphere Information Server versions 11.7.0.0 through 11.7.1.6 should apply the security patch immediately. Detailed patch information and download links are available through the IBM Support Page.

Workarounds

• Implement network segmentation to limit access to InfoSphere Information Server from untrusted network zones
• Apply strict access controls and the principle of least privilege for all users with InfoSphere access
• Enable multi-factor authentication for administrative access to InfoSphere environments
• Monitor and alert on access to credential storage locations until patches can be applied

# Example: Restrict file permissions on configuration directories (Linux)
# Adjust paths according to your InfoSphere installation
chmod 700 /opt/IBM/InformationServer/Server/Configs
chown -R root:isadmin /opt/IBM/InformationServer/Server/Configs