CVE-2025-36357: IBM Planning Analytics Path Traversal

CVE-2025-36357 Overview

CVE-2025-36357 is a path traversal vulnerability affecting IBM Planning Analytics Local versions 2.1.0 through 2.1.14. This vulnerability allows a remote authenticated user to traverse directories on the system by sending specially crafted URL requests containing absolute path sequences. Successful exploitation enables attackers to view, read, or write arbitrary files on the system, potentially leading to complete system compromise.

Critical Impact

Remote authenticated attackers can exploit this path traversal flaw to read sensitive configuration files, access confidential business data, or write malicious files to the system, potentially achieving remote code execution.

Affected Products

• IBM Planning Analytics Local versions 2.1.0 through 2.1.14
• IBM Planning Analytics Workspace (associated component)

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-11-17 - CVE-2025-36357 published to NVD
• 2025-11-19 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-36357

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-36 (Absolute Path Traversal), which occurs when an application improperly validates user-supplied input containing absolute path sequences. In the context of IBM Planning Analytics Local, the application fails to adequately sanitize URL parameters that specify file paths, allowing authenticated users to break out of the intended directory structure.

The attack requires network access and a low-privileged authenticated user account. While some user interaction is required, the potential impact is severe across all three security dimensions—confidentiality, integrity, and availability. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive system files, modify application configurations, or potentially deploy malicious payloads.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-36357 lies in insufficient input validation within IBM Planning Analytics Local's file handling mechanisms. The application accepts URL parameters that include file path specifications without properly validating or sanitizing absolute path sequences. This allows attackers to bypass directory restrictions by including path elements like ../ or absolute paths that reference locations outside the application's intended directory scope.

Attack Vector

The attack is conducted over the network by an authenticated user who crafts malicious HTTP requests. The attacker constructs URLs containing absolute path traversal sequences that reference arbitrary files on the target system. When the application processes these requests, it follows the malicious path references, allowing the attacker to:

1. Read sensitive files including configuration files, credentials, and business data
2. Write arbitrary files to the system, potentially including web shells or malicious scripts
3. Modify existing files to alter application behavior or escalate privileges

The vulnerability mechanism involves manipulating file path parameters in API requests. An attacker with valid authentication credentials can append path traversal sequences to URL endpoints that handle file operations. The application's failure to canonicalize and validate these paths against an allowlist enables directory escape. For detailed technical information, refer to the IBM Support Document.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-36357

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual file access patterns in IBM Planning Analytics Local logs showing requests for system files outside the application directory
• HTTP requests containing path traversal patterns such as ../, ..\\, or absolute file paths in URL parameters
• Unexpected modifications to system configuration files or appearance of new files in sensitive directories
• Authentication logs showing legitimate user accounts accessing resources inconsistent with their normal behavior

Detection Strategies

• Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block requests containing path traversal sequences in URL parameters
• Enable detailed access logging on IBM Planning Analytics Local and monitor for requests targeting files outside the application scope
• Deploy file integrity monitoring (FIM) on critical system directories to detect unauthorized reads or modifications
• Configure SIEM alerts for patterns matching path traversal attempts against Planning Analytics endpoints

Monitoring Recommendations

• Review IBM Planning Analytics Local application logs regularly for suspicious file access patterns
• Monitor network traffic for HTTP requests to Planning Analytics endpoints containing encoded or plain-text path traversal sequences
• Implement user behavior analytics to detect authenticated accounts accessing unusual resources
• Set up alerts for any file system operations initiated by the Planning Analytics process outside its designated directories

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-36357

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the security patch provided by IBM as documented in the official security bulletin
• Restrict network access to IBM Planning Analytics Local to only trusted users and networks
• Implement additional access controls and monitoring on sensitive system directories
• Review user accounts with access to Planning Analytics and ensure principle of least privilege

Patch Information

IBM has released a security update addressing CVE-2025-36357. Organizations running IBM Planning Analytics Local versions 2.1.0 through 2.1.14 should upgrade to the patched version immediately. Detailed patch information and download links are available in the IBM Support Document.

Workarounds

• Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) in front of IBM Planning Analytics Local configured to block path traversal patterns
• Implement network segmentation to limit access to the Planning Analytics server from untrusted networks
• Enable strict file system permissions on the server hosting Planning Analytics to minimize the impact of potential exploitation
• Consider placing the application behind a reverse proxy that normalizes and validates all incoming URLs before forwarding

# Example WAF rule pattern for blocking path traversal
# Add to your WAF configuration to detect common traversal sequences
# Block requests containing: ../, ..\, or absolute paths in parameters
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@rx (\.\./|\.\.\\|[a-zA-Z]:(\\|/))" "id:1001,phase:1,deny,status:403,msg:'Path Traversal Attempt Detected'"