CVE-2025-14914: IBM WebSphere Liberty RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-14914 Overview

IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty versions 17.0.0.3 through 26.0.0.1 contain a path traversal vulnerability that could allow a privileged user to upload a specially crafted zip archive. The archive contains path traversal sequences (such as ../) that can escape the intended extraction directory, resulting in the overwrite of arbitrary files on the server. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution on the affected system.

Critical Impact

A privileged attacker could leverage this path traversal vulnerability to overwrite critical system files or application binaries, ultimately achieving arbitrary code execution on the target server.

Affected Products

• IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty 17.0.0.3 through 26.0.0.1

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-02 - CVE CVE-2025-14914 published to NVD
• 2026-02-03 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-14914

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory), commonly known as Path Traversal or Directory Traversal. The flaw exists in how IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty handles zip archive extraction operations when performed by a privileged user.

When a user with elevated privileges uploads a zip file to the application server, the extraction routine fails to properly sanitize file paths contained within the archive. An attacker can craft a malicious zip file with entries that include directory traversal sequences like ../ in the filename. During extraction, these sequences allow files to be written outside the intended target directory, potentially overwriting critical application files, configuration files, or system binaries.

While the attack requires high privileges and user interaction to execute, a successful exploit can have severe consequences including full system compromise through arbitrary code execution.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in insufficient input validation during zip archive extraction. The application does not properly validate or sanitize the filenames within uploaded zip archives before writing extracted files to disk. Specifically, the extraction logic fails to:

1. Strip or reject path traversal sequences (../, ..\) from archived filenames
2. Verify that the resolved extraction path remains within the intended target directory
3. Implement canonical path checking to prevent symbolic link or path normalization attacks

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based but requires several preconditions: the attacker must have privileged access to the application server and must be able to upload zip archives. The exploitation flow involves:

1. The attacker creates a malicious zip archive containing files with path traversal sequences in their names (e.g., ../../webapps/ROOT/malicious.jsp)
2. Using their privileged credentials, the attacker uploads this archive through the application's upload functionality
3. When the archive is extracted, files are written to locations outside the intended extraction directory
4. By overwriting application files (such as JSP files, class files, or configuration files), the attacker can inject malicious code
5. When the overwritten files are executed by the server, the attacker achieves arbitrary code execution

The vulnerability requires user interaction (the extraction must be triggered) and the attack complexity is considered high due to the privilege requirements and the need to craft specific archive structures targeting the server's file layout.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-14914

Indicators of Compromise

• Suspicious zip file uploads containing entries with ../ or ..\ path sequences in filenames
• Unexpected file modifications in web application directories, configuration folders, or system paths
• New or modified JSP, class, or executable files appearing outside normal deployment workflows
• Log entries showing file extraction operations with anomalous paths

Detection Strategies

• Monitor file system activity for writes to sensitive directories that originate from archive extraction processes
• Implement file integrity monitoring (FIM) on critical application directories and system paths
• Analyze uploaded zip files for path traversal patterns before extraction
• Review application server logs for archive upload and extraction events from privileged accounts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed audit logging for all file upload operations in WebSphere Application Server Liberty
• Configure alerts for file modifications in protected directories outside of scheduled maintenance windows
• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious file write patterns
• Implement behavioral analysis to detect privilege misuse by monitoring administrative account activities

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-14914

Immediate Actions Required

• Review the IBM Support Advisory for official patch information and guidance
• Audit privileged user accounts and restrict archive upload capabilities to essential personnel only
• Implement additional input validation on any upload functionality that accepts zip archives
• Enable enhanced logging and monitoring for archive upload and extraction operations

Patch Information

IBM has released a security advisory addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should apply the recommended updates as specified in the IBM Support Advisory. Ensure that IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty is updated beyond version 26.0.0.1 to a patched release.

Workarounds

• Implement custom validation to scan uploaded zip archives for path traversal sequences before extraction
• Restrict privileged user accounts and implement additional authentication requirements for file upload operations
• Use application-level controls to limit the directories where archive extraction can write files
• Consider deploying a web application firewall (WAF) rule to detect and block uploads containing path traversal patterns

Organizations are strongly encouraged to apply the official patch from IBM as the primary remediation strategy, using workarounds only as temporary protective measures until patching can be completed.