CVE-2025-0253 in IEM
Summary
by MITRE • 07/25/2025
HCL IEM is affected by a cookie attribute not set vulnerability due to inconsistency of certain security-related configurations which could increase exposure to potential vulnerabilities.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-0253 affects HCL IEM (Information Event Manager) systems where cookie attribute configurations exhibit inconsistencies that weaken overall security posture. This issue stems from the improper implementation of security-related cookie attributes that are essential for protecting web applications from various attack vectors including session hijacking and cross-site scripting exploits. The vulnerability manifests when security-related cookie attributes such as Secure, HttpOnly, and SameSite are not consistently applied across all session management mechanisms within the HCL IEM platform, creating potential attack surfaces that adversaries could exploit.
The technical flaw resides in the inconsistent application of cookie security attributes throughout the web application's session management framework. When cookie attributes are not properly configured, session cookies become vulnerable to interception and manipulation by malicious actors. The Secure attribute ensures cookies are only transmitted over HTTPS connections, while HttpOnly prevents client-side script access to cookies, and SameSite helps mitigate cross-site request forgery attacks. The absence of these attributes or their inconsistent implementation creates a cascade of security weaknesses that can be exploited through various attack techniques. This vulnerability directly correlates to CWE-614, which addresses the improper use of cookies with weak security attributes, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through various exploitation methods.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session management concerns as it fundamentally undermines the security controls that protect sensitive information within HCL IEM environments. Attackers could potentially intercept session cookies through man-in-the-middle attacks, especially when the Secure attribute is missing from cookie configurations, leading to unauthorized access to administrative functions and sensitive data. The inconsistent implementation also creates confusion in security monitoring systems that rely on consistent cookie attribute patterns for detecting anomalous behavior. Organizations utilizing HCL IEM may experience increased risk of data breaches, unauthorized system access, and potential compromise of critical infrastructure components that depend on proper session management. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where HCL IEM systems handle sensitive operational data and require robust security controls to maintain compliance with industry standards.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-0253 should focus on implementing consistent cookie security attribute configurations across all session management components within HCL IEM systems. Organizations must ensure that all session cookies include the Secure, HttpOnly, and SameSite attributes with appropriate values such as SameSite=Strict or SameSite=Lax depending on the specific use case. Security configuration reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate inconsistencies in cookie attribute implementation throughout the application. The implementation of automated security scanning tools can help detect and prevent similar issues in future deployments. Additionally, organizations should establish comprehensive security policies that mandate consistent cookie attribute configurations and conduct regular security assessments to validate proper implementation. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining consistent security configurations across all application components and serves as a reminder of the critical role that proper cookie management plays in overall web application security posture.