CVE-2025-36271 in Integrated Analytics System
Summary
by MITRE • 08/29/2026
IBM Integrated Analytics System 1.0.0.0 through 1.0.31.0 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could allow an attacker to decrypt highly sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2026
The vulnerability identified in IBM Integrated Analytics System versions ranging from 1.0.0.0 through 1.0.31.0 stems from the implementation of cryptographic mechanisms that fail to meet current industry standards for data protection. Specifically, the system relies on algorithms or key lengths that are considered cryptographically weak by modern security benchmarks. This deficiency allows an adversary with sufficient access and computational resources to perform cryptanalysis against the encrypted data streams. The core technical flaw lies in the use of legacy cipher suites or insufficient key sizes during the encryption process for sensitive information stored within the analytics environment. Such weaknesses typically involve algorithms like DES, early versions of RC4, or RSA keys shorter than 2048 bits, which are susceptible to brute-force attacks or mathematical shortcuts that can reveal plaintext data without requiring the actual decryption key.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a severe risk to the confidentiality and integrity of the organization's most critical assets. Since IBM Integrated Analytics System is designed to process large volumes of complex data for business intelligence and decision-making, it often houses personally identifiable information, financial records, intellectual property, or proprietary algorithms. If an attacker successfully exploits these weak cryptographic controls, they can decrypt this highly sensitive information in plaintext. This breach not only violates regulatory compliance requirements such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS but also exposes the organization to significant reputational damage and potential legal liabilities associated with data exposure. The impact is particularly acute because analytics systems are often central hubs for enterprise data, meaning a compromise here could lead to cascading effects across multiple business units dependent on that data.
This vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-326, which categorizes issues related to insufficient encryption strength, and CWE-918 regarding the use of weak cryptographic algorithms. In terms of adversarial tactics as defined by the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this flaw facilitates techniques associated with Data Encrypted for Impact or Credential Access if keys are also compromised through side-channel attacks enabled by poor implementation practices. Attackers may leverage known vulnerabilities in older cipher suites to intercept and decrypt network traffic or access static data at rest that was previously assumed to be secure due to the presence of encryption mechanisms, even though those mechanisms are fundamentally flawed.
To mitigate this risk, organizations must immediately upgrade IBM Integrated Analytics System to version 1.0.32.0 or later where these cryptographic weaknesses have been addressed and replaced with robust algorithms such as AES-256 for data at rest and TLS 1.2 or higher for data in transit. It is imperative that system administrators audit existing configurations to ensure no legacy cipher suites remain enabled, particularly those involving RC4, DES, or MD5 hashing functions. Furthermore, implementing a comprehensive key management strategy using hardware security modules can help enforce stronger cryptographic standards across the infrastructure. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of weak cryptography before they can be exploited by malicious actors seeking to exfiltrate sensitive enterprise data.