CVE-2025-36361 Overview
CVE-2025-36361 is a missing authorization vulnerability [CWE-862] affecting IBM App Connect Enterprise. The flaw allows an authenticated user to perform unauthorized actions on customer-defined resources. IBM App Connect Enterprise versions 13.0.1.0 through 13.0.4.2 and 12.0.1.0 through 12.0.12.17 are affected. The vulnerability carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8, reflecting network-based exploitation with low privileges and no user interaction required. Successful exploitation impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability of integration server resources.
Critical Impact
An authenticated attacker can perform unauthorized actions on customer-defined resources within IBM App Connect Enterprise, compromising integration flows and sensitive data exchanged through the platform.
Affected Products
- IBM App Connect Enterprise 13.0.1.0 through 13.0.4.2
- IBM App Connect Enterprise 12.0.1.0 through 12.0.12.17
- Deployments exposing integration server APIs to authenticated users
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-10-24 - CVE-2025-36361 published to NVD
- 2025-10-28 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-36361
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from missing authorization checks within IBM App Connect Enterprise. The product fails to verify whether an authenticated user has permission to perform requested actions on customer-defined resources. This category of weakness is tracked as [CWE-862] Missing Authorization.
IBM App Connect Enterprise provides integration services across applications, APIs, and data sources. Customer-defined resources include integration flows, message flows, BAR files, and configurable services managed within the integration server. When authorization controls are absent, any authenticated user can interact with resources owned or restricted to other roles.
The attack requires network access and valid credentials, but no user interaction. An attacker with even low-privileged credentials can escalate the scope of their actions across the integration environment.
Root Cause
The root cause is the absence of authorization enforcement on operations affecting customer-defined resources. The application authenticates the requester but does not validate whether that principal holds the rights necessary to execute the requested action. This produces a horizontal and vertical privilege escalation surface depending on how resources are deployed.
Attack Vector
An authenticated user sends crafted requests to the App Connect Enterprise management or integration interfaces. Because the server skips authorization checks, the actions execute against resources the user should not be able to modify, read, or delete. The result is unauthorized configuration changes, data exposure, or disruption of integration flows.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. Refer to the IBM Support Documentation for vendor-supplied technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-36361
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected modifications to integration flows, message flows, or configurable services within App Connect Enterprise
- Administrative or resource-altering API calls originating from low-privileged user accounts
- Audit log entries showing successful actions on resources outside a user's assigned scope
Detection Strategies
- Review App Connect Enterprise audit logs for actions performed by users on resources they do not own or administer
- Correlate authentication events with subsequent resource modification calls to identify privilege boundary violations
- Baseline normal user-to-resource interaction patterns and alert on deviations
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward integration server and web user interface logs to a centralized SIEM for continuous review
- Monitor REST administration API endpoints for unauthorized PUT, POST, and DELETE operations
- Track configuration changes to BAR deployments and configurable services across integration nodes
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-36361
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the IBM-supplied fix referenced in the IBM Support Documentation for affected versions of App Connect Enterprise
- Inventory all App Connect Enterprise installations and identify systems running versions 13.0.1.0 through 13.0.4.2 or 12.0.1.0 through 12.0.12.17
- Audit user accounts and remove unnecessary access to integration servers
- Review recent audit logs for evidence of unauthorized resource actions prior to patching
Patch Information
IBM has issued remediation guidance for CVE-2025-36361. Consult the IBM Support Documentation for the specific fix pack and upgrade path applicable to each affected release stream.
Workarounds
- Restrict network access to App Connect Enterprise administration interfaces using firewall rules or network segmentation
- Enforce least-privilege role assignments and remove standing access for users who do not require it
- Rotate credentials for any account with access to integration servers if compromise is suspected
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
