CVE-2025-36005: IBM MQ Operator Vulnerable to Sensitive Information Disclosure
IBM MQ Operator is a critical component for managing IBM MQ deployments in containerized environments. A recently discovered vulnerability, CVE-2025-36005, could allow attackers to potentially access sensitive information through a flaw in TLS certificate validation. This blog post will provide details about the vulnerability, its potential impact, and recommended steps to mitigate the risk.
Vulnerability Details
- CVE ID: CVE-2025-36005
- Description: IBM MQ Operator LTS 2.0.0 through 2.0.29, MQ Operator CD 3.0.0, 3.0.1, 3.1.0 through 3.1.3, 3.3.0, 3.4.0, 3.4.1, 3.5.0, 3.5.1, 3.6.0, and MQ Operator SC2 3.2.0 through 3.2.13 Internet Pass-Thru could allow a malicious user to obtain sensitive information from another TLS session connection by the proxy to the same hostname and port due to improper certificate validation.
- 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. An attacker on the network can potentially read highly sensitive data given the right conditions, but the attack requires highly specific conditions (high attack complexity) and no user interaction. Integrity and Availability are not affected, only Confidentiality.
- Exploit Requirements: Successful exploitation requires the attacker to be positioned on the network and have knowledge of the target system's configuration and traffic patterns. The attacker would need to intercept traffic destined for the IBM MQ Operator.
- Affected Vendor: IBM
- Affected Product: IBM MQ Operator
- Affected Versions: LTS 2.0.0 through 2.0.29, CD 3.0.0, 3.0.1, 3.1.0 through 3.1.3, 3.3.0, 3.4.0, 3.4.1, 3.5.0, 3.5.1, 3.6.0, and SC2 3.2.0 through 3.2.13
- CWE: CWE-295 - Improper Certificate Validation
- CWE Explanation: CWE-295 occurs when software fails to properly verify the authenticity and integrity of digital certificates, leading to potential security breaches. In this case, improper certificate validation in the IBM MQ Operator allows unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Timeline of Events
- 2025-07-24: Vulnerability publicly disclosed.
Exploitability & Real-World Risk
While the CVSS score is Medium, the real-world risk depends on the specific deployment. If the IBM MQ Operator manages sensitive data within a highly controlled environment, the risk might be lower. However, if the operator handles credentials or other sensitive information accessible from the internet, the risk is considerably higher. Attackers could potentially eavesdrop on communications and steal sensitive data, leading to compromised systems and data breaches.
Recommendations
- Apply Patches: Upgrade to a version of IBM MQ Operator that addresses this vulnerability. Refer to IBM's security advisory for the recommended versions.
- Review Configuration: Ensure that TLS is properly configured and that certificate validation is enabled.
- Network Segmentation: Implement network segmentation to isolate the IBM MQ Operator from untrusted networks.
- Monitoring: Monitor network traffic for suspicious activity that might indicate an attempted exploit.
Technical Insight
The vulnerability stems from a flaw in how the IBM MQ Operator validates TLS certificates when establishing secure connections. When a client connects to the MQ Operator via TLS, the operator must verify the certificate presented by the client to ensure it is authentic and trustworthy. In vulnerable versions, this validation is either incomplete or missing, potentially allowing an attacker to impersonate a legitimate client and intercept sensitive data.
Credit to Researcher(s)
Credit to IBM Security for identifying and reporting this vulnerability.
References
Tags
#IBM #MQ #Operator #Security #Vulnerability #CVE-2025-36005 #InformationDisclosure #TLS
Summary: IBM MQ Operator versions are vulnerable to information disclosure due to improper TLS certificate validation (CVE-2025-36005). This can allow attackers to potentially access sensitive data. Apply patches and review TLS configurations to mitigate the risk.
CVE ID: CVE-2025-36005
Risk Analysis: Successful exploitation could lead to the disclosure of sensitive information, potentially resulting in compromised systems, data breaches, and reputational damage. The impact depends on the sensitivity of the data handled by the IBM MQ Operator.
Recommendation: Apply the latest patches provided by IBM to address this vulnerability. Review and strengthen TLS configurations, implement network segmentation, and monitor network traffic for suspicious activity.
Timeline
- 2025-07-24: Vulnerability publicly disclosed