CVE-2025-3355 Overview
CVE-2025-3355 is a directory traversal vulnerability affecting IBM Tivoli Monitoring versions 6.3.0.7 through 6.3.0.7 Service Pack 21. A remote, unauthenticated attacker can send a specially crafted URL request containing ../ sequences to read arbitrary files on the host system. The flaw is tracked under CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory). Successful exploitation leads to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive files, including configuration data, credentials, and monitoring artifacts maintained by the Tivoli platform.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can read arbitrary files on the underlying operating system without authentication, exposing sensitive configuration and credential material managed by IBM Tivoli Monitoring.
Affected Products
- IBM Tivoli Monitoring 6.3.0.7 (base release)
- IBM Tivoli Monitoring 6.3.0.7 Service Packs 1 through 20
- IBM Tivoli Monitoring 6.3.0.7 Service Pack 21
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-10-30 - CVE-2025-3355 published to NVD
- 2025-11-07 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-3355
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the HTTP request handling logic of IBM Tivoli Monitoring 6.3.0.7. The product fails to canonicalize and validate user-supplied path components in URL requests. An attacker submits a crafted URL containing dot-dot-slash (../) sequences. The server resolves these sequences relative to the web root and returns the contents of files located outside the intended directory. Because the issue affects URL processing, no authentication or user interaction is required to trigger the flaw. The impact is limited to confidentiality, as the vector permits file read but not modification or denial of service.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, classified as CWE-22. The HTTP handler accepts pathname segments without stripping or rejecting parent-directory references. Path canonicalization occurs after access checks, allowing traversal sequences to escape the intended document root.
Attack Vector
Exploitation is performed over the network against the Tivoli Monitoring web interface. An attacker issues an HTTP GET request to a vulnerable endpoint and embeds ../ sequences in the URL path. The server returns the contents of the targeted file in the HTTP response. Attackers commonly target operating system files such as /etc/passwd on Linux/AIX or C:\Windows\win.ini on Windows, as well as Tivoli configuration files containing credentials and connection strings.
No verified proof-of-concept exploit code is publicly available. Refer to the IBM Support advisory for vendor-specific technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-3355
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to Tivoli Monitoring endpoints containing ../, ..%2f, ..%5c, or double-encoded traversal sequences in the URL path.
- Web server access logs showing successful 200 OK responses to URLs referencing sensitive system files such as /etc/passwd, /etc/shadow, or Tivoli configuration files.
- Unexpected outbound transfers of configuration files or credential stores from the Tivoli Monitoring host.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server and reverse-proxy logs for URL patterns matching traversal payloads against Tivoli endpoints.
- Deploy intrusion detection signatures that flag encoded and double-encoded ../ sequences in HTTP requests to the Tivoli Monitoring service ports.
- Correlate file-read system calls on the Tivoli host with inbound HTTP requests to identify out-of-policy file access.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose HTTP request logging on the Tivoli Monitoring server and forward logs to a centralized SIEM for path traversal pattern matching.
- Monitor process and file access telemetry on the Tivoli host for reads against sensitive operating system files originating from the Tivoli service account.
- Alert on anomalous response sizes from Tivoli endpoints that historically return small or fixed payloads.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-3355
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the fix referenced in the IBM Support advisory for IBM Tivoli Monitoring 6.3.0.7.
- Restrict network access to the Tivoli Monitoring web interface to trusted management networks only.
- Review web server access logs for traversal patterns dating back to the deployment of any vulnerable Service Pack.
Patch Information
IBM has published remediation guidance for IBM Tivoli Monitoring 6.3.0.7 through Service Pack 21. Customers should consult the IBM Support page for the corrective service or interim fix applicable to their deployment and apply it during the next maintenance window.
Workarounds
- Place the Tivoli Monitoring web interface behind a reverse proxy or web application firewall configured to block requests containing ../, ..%2f, and double-encoded traversal sequences.
- Apply strict network segmentation so that only authorized administrative hosts can reach the Tivoli Monitoring HTTP listener.
- Rotate credentials and secrets stored on the Tivoli host if log review indicates suspected exposure prior to patching.
# Example WAF rule pattern (ModSecurity) to block path traversal against Tivoli
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@rx (\.\./|\.\.\\|%2e%2e%2f|%2e%2e/|\.\.%2f|%2e%2e%5c)" \
"id:1003355,phase:1,deny,status:403,log,msg:'CVE-2025-3355 path traversal attempt'"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
