CVE-2025-36363 Overview
IBM DevOps Plan versions 3.0.0 through 3.0.5 contains an inadequate account lockout setting that could allow a remote attacker to perform brute force attacks against user account credentials. This authentication weakness (CWE-307: Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts) enables attackers to systematically attempt password combinations without being locked out, potentially leading to unauthorized access to user accounts and sensitive DevOps planning data.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can exploit insufficient account lockout controls to brute force credentials, potentially gaining unauthorized access to IBM DevOps Plan environments and compromising sensitive project management data.
Affected Products
- IBM DevOps Plan 3.0.0
- IBM DevOps Plan 3.0.1 through 3.0.4
- IBM DevOps Plan 3.0.5
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-03-03 - CVE-2025-36363 published to NVD
- 2026-03-04 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-36363
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability stems from inadequate account lockout mechanisms within IBM DevOps Plan's authentication subsystem. The application fails to properly restrict excessive authentication attempts, allowing attackers to conduct brute force attacks against user credentials without triggering protective lockout measures.
The vulnerability is network-accessible, meaning attackers can remotely target exposed IBM DevOps Plan instances without requiring any prior authentication or user interaction. While the vulnerability primarily impacts confidentiality through potential credential compromise, it does not directly affect system integrity or availability.
Root Cause
The root cause is classified as CWE-307 (Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts). The IBM DevOps Plan authentication module lacks adequate controls to detect and prevent rapid successive login attempts. This may manifest as either a missing lockout policy, an excessively high lockout threshold, or an inadequate lockout duration that allows attackers sufficient time to systematically enumerate password combinations.
Attack Vector
The attack vector for CVE-2025-36363 is network-based, enabling remote exploitation. An attacker can target the authentication endpoint of an IBM DevOps Plan instance by sending repeated login requests with different password combinations. Without proper rate limiting or account lockout enforcement, automated tools can attempt thousands of password combinations against target accounts.
The attack does not require any privileges or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for internet-facing deployments. Successful exploitation results in unauthorized access to user accounts, potentially exposing sensitive DevOps planning information, project data, and organizational resources.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-36363
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual volume of failed authentication attempts against single or multiple user accounts
- Login attempts from unfamiliar IP addresses or geographic locations
- Rapid succession of authentication requests within short time intervals
- Successful logins following extended periods of failed attempts
Detection Strategies
- Implement authentication log monitoring to detect abnormal login patterns and failed attempt spikes
- Configure security information and event management (SIEM) rules to alert on brute force attack signatures
- Deploy web application firewalls (WAF) with rate limiting capabilities to identify and block credential stuffing attempts
- Enable endpoint detection solutions to monitor for unauthorized access following credential compromise
Monitoring Recommendations
- Establish baseline authentication metrics to identify deviations indicative of brute force activity
- Monitor network traffic patterns for automated login attempt characteristics
- Review audit logs regularly for evidence of systematic credential enumeration
- Implement user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) to detect anomalous access patterns
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-36363
Immediate Actions Required
- Review and update account lockout policies to enforce stricter thresholds
- Implement rate limiting on authentication endpoints to slow brute force attempts
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all user accounts to mitigate credential compromise risk
- Audit existing user accounts for signs of unauthorized access or compromise
Patch Information
IBM has released a security advisory addressing this vulnerability. Administrators should review the IBM Support Advisory for detailed patch information and upgrade guidance. Organizations running IBM DevOps Plan versions 3.0.0 through 3.0.5 should apply the vendor-recommended security updates as soon as possible.
Workarounds
- Implement network-level access controls to restrict authentication endpoints to trusted IP ranges
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) with brute force protection capabilities
- Configure temporary account lockout policies at the infrastructure level if application-level controls are insufficient
- Consider implementing CAPTCHA or similar challenges after multiple failed login attempts
# Example: Configure fail2ban to protect IBM DevOps Plan authentication
# Add to /etc/fail2ban/jail.local
[ibm-devops-plan]
enabled = true
filter = ibm-devops-plan
logpath = /var/log/ibm-devops-plan/auth.log
maxretry = 5
bantime = 3600
findtime = 600
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
