CVE-2025-2827 in Sterling File Gateway
Summary
by MITRE • 07/08/2025
IBM Sterling File Gateway
6.0.0.0 through 6.1.2.6, and 6.2.0.0 through 6.2.0.4
could disclose sensitive installation directory information to an authenticated user that could be used in further attacks against the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2025
IBM Sterling File Gateway versions 6.0.0.0 through 6.1.2.6 and 6.2.0.0 through 6.2.0.4 contain a vulnerability that allows authenticated users to obtain sensitive installation directory information through improper access control mechanisms. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability where authorized users can access system paths and installation details that should remain restricted to administrators or system processes. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control checks within the application's directory traversal mechanisms, enabling authenticated attackers to enumerate critical system paths. Such information disclosure can provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance data including installation directories, file locations, and potentially system architecture details that could be leveraged in subsequent attack phases. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses improper information disclosure, and falls under the ATT&CK technique T1083 for discovering system information. Attackers could use this information to plan more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation attempts, directory traversal exploits, or to identify potential targets for additional reconnaissance activities. The impact extends beyond simple information exposure as installation paths often reveal system structure and may contain clues about file permissions, user accounts, or other sensitive system components. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using IBM Sterling File Gateway in enterprise environments where unauthorized access to system information could lead to further compromise of the file transfer infrastructure. The flaw demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege, where authenticated users possess more access rights than necessary for their operational roles. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, access control hardening, and regular security assessments to mitigate potential exploitation of this vulnerability. The issue underscores the importance of proper access control implementation and input validation in enterprise file transfer solutions. Security teams should prioritize patching affected versions and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability type commonly appears in legacy systems where security controls were not properly implemented during initial development phases, highlighting the need for comprehensive security reviews of critical infrastructure components. The disclosure of installation directories can serve as a stepping stone for attackers to identify potential weaknesses in system configuration, file permissions, or other security controls that might not be immediately apparent to administrators. Proper access control measures should ensure that only authorized personnel can access system configuration information, and that sensitive installation details remain protected from unauthorized disclosure. Organizations should also consider implementing logging and monitoring controls to detect suspicious access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts against this vulnerability.