IBM AIX/VIOS critical external initialization

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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6.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in IBM AIX and VIOS. It has been classified as critical. Impacted is an unknown function. Performing a manipulation of the argument critical results in external initialization. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-36244. The attack needs to be approached locally. There is no available exploit. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in IBM AIX and VIOS (unknown version). It has been classified as critical. This affects an unknown code block. The manipulation of the argument critical with an unknown input leads to a external initialization vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-454. The product initializes critical internal variables or data stores using inputs that can be modified by untrusted actors. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, IBM VIOS 3.1, and 4.1, when configured to use Kerberos network authentication, could allow a local user to write to files on the system with root privileges due to improper initialization of critical variables.

It is possible to read the advisory at ibm.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2025-36244 since 04/15/2025. The exploitability is told to be difficult. Attacking locally is a requirement. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 10/17/2025).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at EUVD (EUVD-2025-29617) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2065). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • IBM VIOS
  • IBM AIX

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.5

VulDB Base Score: 7.0
VulDB Temp Score: 6.7
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔒

CNA Base Score: 7.4
CNA Vector (ibm): 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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💳💳💳💳💳💳
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: External initialization
CWE: CWE-454 / CWE-453
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Timelineinfo

04/15/2025 CVE reserved
09/16/2025 +154 days Advisory disclosed
09/16/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
10/17/2025 +31 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: ibm.com

Advisory: ibm.com
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-36244 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-36244
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-324483
EUVD: 🔒
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2065 - IBM AIX: Schwachstelle ermöglicht ermöglicht Privilegieneskalation

Entryinfo

Created: 09/16/2025 17:55
Updated: 10/17/2025 16:55
Changes: 09/16/2025 17:55 (63), 09/17/2025 10:39 (7), 09/17/2025 12:06 (1), 10/17/2025 16:55 (11)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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