CVE-2025-14807 in InfoSphere Information Server
Summary
by MITRE • 03/25/2026
IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7.0.0 through 11.7.1.6 is vulnerable to HTTP header injection, caused by improper validation of input by the HOST headers. This could allow an attacker to conduct various attacks against the vulnerable system, including cross-site scripting, cache poisoning or session hijacking.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2026
IBM InfoSphere Information Server versions 11.7.0.0 through 11.7.1.6 contain a critical HTTP header injection vulnerability that stems from inadequate validation of HOST headers within the application's input processing mechanisms. This flaw resides in the server's handling of HTTP request headers, specifically where the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the HOST header values before processing them. The vulnerability creates an attack surface where malicious actors can manipulate HTTP headers to inject arbitrary content into server responses, potentially compromising the integrity of the information server's communication channels.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the insufficient input validation by crafting malicious HOST header values that can bypass the system's security controls. When the server processes these malformed headers, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input, creating opportunities for header injection attacks. This weakness can be categorized under CWE-113, which specifically addresses HTTP Response Splitting and Header Injection vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple header manipulation as it enables attackers to perform more sophisticated attacks that leverage the compromised header processing.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with multiple attack vectors that can be leveraged for various malicious activities. Cross-site scripting attacks become possible when attackers inject malicious scripts through manipulated headers, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. Cache poisoning attacks can occur when malicious headers are processed and cached by intermediate proxies or CDN services, affecting multiple users. Session hijacking becomes feasible when attackers can manipulate session-related headers or inject malicious content that allows them to impersonate legitimate users within the information server environment.
This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. The attack surface is particularly concerning for organizations using IBM InfoSphere Information Server as it provides an entry point for attackers to potentially escalate privileges and gain deeper access to sensitive data repositories. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in environments where the information server serves as a central data integration platform, as compromise of this system can lead to widespread data exposure and operational disruption.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation controls, header sanitization mechanisms, and network-level filtering to prevent malicious header injection attempts. The recommended approach involves configuring the application server to properly validate and sanitize all incoming HOST headers, implementing strict header parsing rules, and deploying web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious header patterns. Additionally, regular security assessments and monitoring of HTTP header processing should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure continued protection against similar vulnerabilities in the information server's architecture.