CVE-2025-33020: Unencrypted Transmission in IBM Engineering Systems Design Rhapsody Exposes Sensitive Data
IBM Engineering Systems Design Rhapsody is vulnerable to unencrypted transmission of sensitive information, potentially leading to data breaches. Let's dive into the details and what you can do to protect yourself.
Vulnerability Details
- CVE ID: CVE-2025-33020
- Description: IBM Engineering Systems Design Rhapsody 9.0.2, 10.0, and 10.0.1 transmits sensitive information without encryption, allowing an attacker to potentially obtain highly sensitive information by intercepting network traffic.
- CVSS Score: 5.9 (Medium)
- CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
- CVSS Explanation: This vulnerability has a Medium severity rating. The attack vector is network-based, meaning an attacker can exploit it remotely. The attack complexity is high, implying specific conditions are required for successful exploitation. No privileges or user interaction are needed. The confidentiality impact is high, as sensitive data could be exposed. Integrity and availability are not affected.
- Exploit Requirements: An attacker would need to be positioned on the network to intercept unencrypted network traffic related to Rhapsody. They would also need knowledge of the communication protocols used by the application.
Affected Products
- Vendor: IBM
- Product: Engineering Systems Design Rhapsody
- Versions: 9.0.2, 10.0, 10.0.1
CWE
- CWE ID: CWE-311
- CWE Name: Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data
- CWE Explanation: CWE-311 refers to situations where software transmits sensitive information without proper encryption. This makes the data vulnerable to interception and eavesdropping by malicious actors. Think of it like sending a postcard with your credit card number instead of using a secure envelope.
Timeline of Events
- 2025-07-23: CVE-2025-33020 received.
Exploitability & Real-World Risk
The exploitability of this vulnerability is considered moderate. While the attack complexity is high, the potential impact of exposing sensitive information is significant. In a real-world scenario, an attacker on the same network (or capable of intercepting network traffic) could capture credentials, configuration data, or other sensitive information transmitted by Rhapsody. This could be used for further attacks, such as gaining unauthorized access to systems or manipulating engineering designs.
Recommendations
- Apply the Patch: Upgrade to a version of IBM Engineering Systems Design Rhapsody that includes the fix for this vulnerability. Refer to the IBM security bulletin for specific versions and instructions.
- Network Security: Ensure your network is properly segmented and monitored for suspicious activity. Use network intrusion detection systems (IDS) to identify and block malicious traffic.
- Encryption in Transit: If possible, configure Rhapsody to use encryption for all network communications. This might require additional configuration or upgrades.
- Principle of Least Privilege: Limit access to Rhapsody systems and data to only those users who require it.
Technical Insight
The vulnerability stems from the fact that IBM Engineering Systems Design Rhapsody versions 9.0.2, 10.0, and 10.0.1 send sensitive information over the network in plain text. Without encryption, this data is susceptible to eavesdropping. An attacker could use packet sniffing tools to intercept the traffic and extract the sensitive information. This can include usernames, passwords, API keys, or design specifications.
Credit to Researcher(s)
IBM Security Team
References
Tags
#IBM #Rhapsody #CVE-2025-33020 #UnencryptedTransmission #DataBreach #SecurityVulnerability #CWE-311
Summary: IBM Engineering Systems Design Rhapsody versions 9.0.2, 10.0, and 10.0.1 transmit sensitive information without encryption, making it vulnerable to interception. Upgrade to a patched version to protect your data.
CVE ID: CVE-2025-33020
Risk Analysis: Compromised sensitive data could lead to unauthorized access, intellectual property theft, and other security breaches. The business impact includes potential financial losses, reputational damage, and legal liabilities.
Recommendation: Upgrade to a version of IBM Engineering Systems Design Rhapsody that includes encryption for sensitive data transmission. Configure the application to use secure communication protocols.
Timeline
- 2025-07-23: CVE-2025-33020 received