CVE-2025-2140 in Engineering Requirements Management Doors Next
Summary
by MITRE • 10/12/2025
IBM Engineering Requirements Management Doors Next 7.0.2, 7.0.3, and 7.1 could allow an authenticated user on the network to spoof email identity of the sender due to improper verification of source data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-2140 affects IBM Engineering Requirements Management Doors Next versions 7.0.2, 7.0.3, and 7.1, representing a critical security flaw that enables authenticated network users to spoof email identities. This issue stems from inadequate validation of source data within the email transmission mechanisms of the software platform. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and data verification, which aligns with CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation and CWE-345 - Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity. The affected system processes email communications without adequately verifying the authenticity of sender information, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate email headers and present false sender identities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker who has gained network access and authentication credentials to manipulate email routing and presentation data within the Doors Next environment. When the system processes email communications, it fails to properly validate the source fields of email messages, particularly the sender address and other identifying headers. This weakness enables the attacker to craft emails that appear to originate from legitimate users or system components, potentially bypassing security controls that rely on email identity verification. The flaw operates at the application layer where email processing occurs, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users with valid network credentials who may not have elevated privileges.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly impacts the security posture of organizations using IBM Doors Next for requirements management and engineering collaboration. The ability to spoof email identities creates opportunities for social engineering attacks, phishing attempts, and potential privilege escalation within the system. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to send malicious emails that appear to come from trusted sources, potentially compromising user credentials or system integrity. The impact extends beyond simple identity spoofing as it undermines the trust model of email communications within the engineering environment, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive requirements data and system configurations. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on email-based notifications and collaboration within their requirements management processes.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including enhanced email header validation mechanisms, network segmentation to limit access to email processing components, and enhanced monitoring of email traffic patterns. The recommended approach involves deploying additional verification layers that validate sender authenticity through cryptographic means or additional authentication checks beyond simple credential validation. Security controls should focus on implementing proper email authentication standards such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to provide additional layers of protection. System administrators should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous email traffic patterns and potential spoofing attempts. The vulnerability aligns with attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1566 - Phishing and T1078 - Valid Accounts, as it exploits legitimate authentication mechanisms to perform unauthorized activities. Organizations must also review their email handling procedures and implement additional verification steps that ensure the integrity of email source information before processing critical business communications.