CVE-2025-36274: IBM Aspera HTTP Gateway Info Disclosure

CVE-2025-36274 Overview

A sensitive data exposure vulnerability has been identified in IBM Aspera HTTP Gateway versions 2.0.0 through 2.3.1. The application stores sensitive information in clear text within easily obtainable files, allowing unauthenticated users to access confidential data. This vulnerability is classified as CWE-319 (Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information) and poses a significant risk to organizations relying on IBM Aspera for high-speed file transfer operations.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can remotely access sensitive information stored in cleartext files, potentially compromising credentials, configuration data, or other confidential information without requiring any privileges.

Affected Products

• IBM Aspera HTTP Gateway 2.0.0 through 2.3.1 (Linux)
• ibm:aspera_http_gateway component

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-09-26 - CVE-2025-36274 published to NVD
• 2025-12-11 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-36274

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from insecure data storage practices within IBM Aspera HTTP Gateway. The application fails to properly protect sensitive information, storing it in cleartext format within files that are accessible to unauthenticated users. The network-accessible nature of this vulnerability means attackers can remotely retrieve sensitive data without requiring authentication, user interaction, or elevated privileges.

The impact is confined to confidentiality, as the vulnerability allows unauthorized reading of sensitive data but does not permit modification or disruption of services. Organizations using affected versions for file transfer operations should consider the potential exposure of credentials, API keys, configuration parameters, or other sensitive information that may be stored by the application.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-36274 is the improper handling of sensitive data storage in IBM Aspera HTTP Gateway. The application stores sensitive information—such as credentials, tokens, or configuration data—in cleartext format within files that lack appropriate access controls. This violates the security principle of protecting data at rest through encryption and proper file permissions.

The vulnerability specifically relates to CWE-319 (Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information), indicating that sensitive data is not adequately protected during storage or transmission, making it accessible to unauthorized parties.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction. An attacker with network access to the IBM Aspera HTTP Gateway can locate and read files containing sensitive cleartext information. The attack complexity is low, as the files are described as "easily obtainable."

A typical exploitation scenario involves:

1. An attacker identifies an exposed IBM Aspera HTTP Gateway instance
2. The attacker enumerates accessible file paths or directories
3. Sensitive configuration or credential files are discovered and read
4. The cleartext sensitive information is extracted and potentially used for further attacks

Since no verified code examples are available, organizations should consult the IBM Security Advisory for specific technical details regarding the vulnerable file locations and data types affected.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-36274

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual file access patterns to configuration directories or sensitive data storage locations within the Aspera HTTP Gateway installation
• Unexpected network connections from external IPs accessing file resources on the gateway
• Authentication failures or anomalous access attempts following potential credential exposure
• Log entries indicating access to sensitive configuration files by unauthenticated sessions

Detection Strategies

• Implement file integrity monitoring (FIM) on IBM Aspera HTTP Gateway configuration directories to detect unauthorized access
• Monitor web server access logs for requests targeting configuration files or known sensitive data paths
• Deploy network intrusion detection signatures to identify reconnaissance or exploitation attempts against Aspera HTTP Gateway
• Audit authentication logs for suspicious login attempts that may indicate compromised credentials

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging on IBM Aspera HTTP Gateway to capture all access attempts to sensitive resources
• Configure SIEM rules to alert on unauthenticated access patterns to the gateway's file system
• Implement network traffic analysis to detect data exfiltration from the Aspera HTTP Gateway server
• Regularly review access logs for patterns consistent with information disclosure exploitation

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-36274

Immediate Actions Required

• Identify all instances of IBM Aspera HTTP Gateway versions 2.0.0 through 2.3.1 in your environment
• Review the IBM Security Advisory and apply the recommended patch or upgrade
• Restrict network access to the IBM Aspera HTTP Gateway to trusted IP ranges using firewall rules
• Audit files containing sensitive information and rotate any potentially exposed credentials
• Implement network segmentation to limit exposure of the gateway to untrusted networks

Patch Information

IBM has released a security advisory addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should apply the patch referenced in the IBM Support Page. The fix likely addresses the cleartext storage issue by implementing proper encryption for sensitive data and restricting file access permissions.

Affected versions include IBM Aspera HTTP Gateway 2.0.0 through 2.3.1. Organizations should upgrade to the latest patched version as specified in the IBM security advisory.

Workarounds

• Implement strict file system permissions to restrict access to configuration and sensitive data directories
• Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) to filter requests targeting sensitive file paths
• Place the IBM Aspera HTTP Gateway behind a reverse proxy with authentication requirements
• Use network segmentation to ensure the gateway is only accessible from trusted internal networks
• Consider disabling the service temporarily if immediate patching is not feasible and sensitive data exposure is confirmed

# Example: Restrict file permissions on sensitive configuration directories
chmod 600 /path/to/aspera/config/*
chown root:root /path/to/aspera/config/*

# Example: Implement firewall rules to restrict access
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s trusted_network/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP