CVE-2025-14974 Overview
IBM InfoSphere Information Server versions 11.7.0.0 through 11.7.1.6 contains an Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to access sensitive information via network-based attacks. This vulnerability enables unauthorized access to data objects without proper authorization checks, potentially exposing confidential business information managed by the platform.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can exploit this IDOR vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data objects, leading to significant confidentiality breaches across enterprise data integration environments.
Affected Products
- IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7.0.0 through 11.7.1.6
- IBM AIX (all supported versions running affected InfoSphere versions)
- Linux Kernel-based systems (all supported versions running affected InfoSphere versions)
- Microsoft Windows (all supported versions running affected InfoSphere versions)
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-03-25 - CVE-2025-14974 published to NVD
- 2026-03-26 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-14974
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified as CWE-639: Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key, commonly known as Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR). The flaw exists in how IBM InfoSphere Information Server handles object references in user requests, failing to properly validate whether the requesting user has authorization to access the referenced data objects.
IDOR vulnerabilities occur when an application exposes internal implementation objects, such as database keys or file paths, directly to users without proper access control verification. In the context of InfoSphere Information Server, this allows attackers to manipulate object identifiers to access data belonging to other users or organizational entities.
The vulnerability is exploitable remotely without authentication, requiring no user interaction. The primary impact is to data confidentiality, with attackers able to read sensitive information they should not have access to. There is no direct impact to data integrity or system availability from this vulnerability.
Root Cause
The root cause lies in insufficient authorization checks when processing requests that reference data objects. The application fails to verify that the authenticated user (or in this case, unauthenticated requests) has proper permissions to access the requested object before returning the data. This missing access control check allows attackers to enumerate and access objects by manipulating identifiers in requests.
Attack Vector
The attack can be executed remotely over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction. An attacker would typically:
- Identify endpoints that accept object identifiers as parameters
- Enumerate or predict valid object identifiers
- Submit requests with manipulated object identifiers
- Receive unauthorized data in the response
The vulnerability mechanism involves manipulating object reference parameters in HTTP requests to the InfoSphere Information Server. By incrementing or modifying resource identifiers, an attacker can access data objects belonging to other users or entities. For detailed technical information, refer to the IBM Security Advisory.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-14974
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual patterns of sequential or enumerated object ID requests from single IP addresses
- Access log entries showing requests for object IDs that should not be accessible to the requesting user
- Increased volume of requests to data retrieval endpoints with varying object parameters
- Authentication failures followed by successful data access requests
Detection Strategies
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect parameter tampering and IDOR attack patterns
- Monitor application logs for anomalous object access patterns, particularly sequential ID enumeration
- Deploy runtime application self-protection (RASP) solutions to detect authorization bypass attempts
- Configure SIEM rules to correlate access patterns across multiple data retrieval endpoints
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable detailed access logging for all InfoSphere Information Server data retrieval operations
- Implement alerting for high-volume requests targeting object reference endpoints
- Monitor for access attempts to objects outside the requesting user's normal scope
- Review access logs regularly for signs of unauthorized data enumeration
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-14974
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the security patch from IBM as documented in IBM Security Advisory
- Restrict network access to InfoSphere Information Server to trusted IP ranges
- Implement additional authentication controls at network perimeter if immediate patching is not possible
- Audit existing access logs for potential exploitation attempts
Patch Information
IBM has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Administrators should consult the IBM Security Advisory for specific patch details and upgrade instructions for InfoSphere Information Server versions 11.7.0.0 through 11.7.1.6.
Workarounds
- Implement network segmentation to restrict access to InfoSphere Information Server from untrusted networks
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block IDOR attack patterns
- Enable additional authentication requirements for sensitive data retrieval endpoints
- Consider implementing IP-based access controls as a temporary measure until patches can be applied
# Example network restriction for InfoSphere Information Server
# Restrict access to trusted networks only using firewall rules
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 9443 -s 10.0.0.0/8 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 9443 -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
