CVE-2025-14811 in Sterling Partner Engagement Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 03/13/2026
IBM Sterling Partner Engagement Manager 6.2.3.0 through 6.2.3.5 and 6.2.4.0 through 6.2.4.2 could allow an attacker to obtain sensitive information from the query string of an HTTP GET method to process a request which could be obtained using man in the middle techniques.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2026
IBM Sterling Partner Engagement Manager versions 6.2.3.0 through 6.2.3.5 and 6.2.4.0 through 6.2.4.2 contain a vulnerability that exposes sensitive information through query string parameters in HTTP GET requests. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability where attacker-controlled data passed through the query string can be intercepted and harvested during man-in-the-middle attacks. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of HTTP GET parameters, allowing malicious actors to access potentially sensitive data that should remain protected within the application's internal processing mechanisms. The exposure occurs when the application processes GET requests without properly filtering or encrypting sensitive information that might be included in the URL query parameters, creating an attack surface where credentials, session tokens, or other confidential data could be inadvertently transmitted in cleartext.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure through improper filtering of sensitive data. Attackers can exploit this weakness by positioning themselves between the client and server to intercept network traffic, particularly when the application uses unencrypted HTTP connections or when security controls fail to properly sanitize query string inputs. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where the application handles sensitive partner data or authentication tokens within HTTP GET requests, as these parameters are inherently visible in web server logs, browser history, and network traffic captures. The attack vector is consistent with ATT&CK technique T1041, which describes data compression and transmission methods used to exfiltrate information, and T1566, which covers social engineering and man-in-the-middle attacks. The exposure of sensitive information through query strings can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized access to partner engagement data, particularly when the application does not implement proper transport layer security or input validation controls.
Organizations using affected IBM Sterling Partner Engagement Manager versions should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves enforcing mandatory use of HTTPS for all communications to ensure query string parameters are encrypted during transmission, preventing man-in-the-middle interception attacks. Additionally, application-level input validation should be strengthened to prevent sensitive data from being passed through HTTP GET requests, with a preference for using POST methods for operations that involve confidential information. The implementation of proper parameter sanitization and content security policies can help reduce the attack surface by ensuring that no sensitive data is included in query strings. Organizations should also conduct network traffic analysis to identify and remove any existing instances where sensitive information might already be exposed through query parameters. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be performed to ensure that all components of the partner engagement platform are properly configured to prevent information disclosure through HTTP methods. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect sensitive data throughout all layers of application communication, particularly in enterprise integration platforms where data confidentiality is paramount.