CVE-2025-33079 in Controller
Summary
by MITRE • 05/27/2025
IBM Controller 11.0.0, 11.0.1, and 11.1.0 application could allow an authenticated user to obtain sensitive credentials that may be inadvertently included within the source code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-33079 affects IBM Controller versions 11.0.0, 11.0.1, and 11.1.0, representing a significant security concern that could compromise the integrity of authentication mechanisms within the application. This issue stems from the improper handling of sensitive credentials within the source code, creating potential exposure pathways for malicious actors who gain authenticated access to the system. The flaw specifically manifests when the application inadvertently includes authentication tokens, passwords, or other sensitive credential information directly within its source code repositories or deployment artifacts, thereby violating fundamental security principles of credential separation and access control.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor, and CWE-798, which focuses on the use of hard-coded credentials in source code. The flaw typically occurs during the development or deployment phases when developers or administrators fail to properly sanitize code repositories or deployment configurations, leading to the unintentional inclusion of credential material within the application's source files. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access to exploit, meaning that legitimate users with valid credentials could potentially extract sensitive information that should remain protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it creates opportunities for privilege escalation and lateral movement within network environments. When sensitive credentials are embedded within source code, attackers who gain access to authenticated sessions can extract these materials and use them to impersonate legitimate users or gain access to additional systems and resources. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where the IBM Controller application is deployed in multi-tenant or shared infrastructure scenarios, where credential exposure could lead to cross-tenant data breaches or unauthorized access to critical business applications. The risk is compounded by the fact that these credentials might be used across multiple systems or services, creating cascading security implications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-33079 should focus on implementing comprehensive code review processes, automated security scanning tools, and strict configuration management practices. Organizations should enforce the principle of least privilege by ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive credential repositories and that all credential material is properly managed through secure key management systems. The implementation of continuous integration and continuous deployment pipelines with integrated security checks can help prevent credential leakage during the build process. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing the ATT&CK framework's T1552 technique for credential access and T1078 for valid accounts, as these tactics directly relate to the exploitation of exposed credentials within source code environments. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues within the application codebase.