CVE-2022-41732 is a vulnerability identified in IBM Maximo Mobile versions 8.7 and 8.8, where user credentials are stored in plaintext on the device. This vulnerability falls under CWE-256, which concerns the plaintext storage of passwords. Specifically, the application stores user credentials without encryption or adequate protection, allowing any local user with access to the device's file system to read these credentials directly. Since IBM Maximo Mobile is designed for mobile devices used in asset management and maintenance operations, the exposure of plaintext credentials can lead to unauthorized access to the Maximo backend systems. The vulnerability does not require remote exploitation or network access; it is exploitable by anyone with local access to the device, such as an insider threat or an attacker who gains physical access. There are no known exploits in the wild as of the published date, and no patches have been released yet. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on November 28, 2022, and is tracked by IBM X-Force ID 237407. The lack of encryption or secure storage mechanisms for sensitive authentication data represents a significant security weakness, potentially allowing attackers to compromise user accounts and escalate privileges within enterprise asset management environments.

For European organizations using IBM Maximo Mobile 8.7 or 8.8, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to confidentiality and integrity. If an attacker gains local access to a mobile device, they can extract user credentials in plaintext, enabling unauthorized access to the Maximo backend system. This can lead to unauthorized data access, manipulation of asset management records, disruption of maintenance workflows, and potential sabotage of critical infrastructure managed via Maximo. The impact is heightened in sectors such as manufacturing, utilities, transportation, and energy, where Maximo is commonly deployed. The vulnerability does not directly affect availability but can indirectly cause operational disruptions if attackers modify or delete critical asset data. Since exploitation requires local access, the threat is more significant in environments where devices are shared, lost, or insufficiently secured physically. The exposure of plaintext credentials also increases the risk of lateral movement within corporate networks if attackers reuse credentials or escalate privileges. Overall, the vulnerability undermines trust in the security of mobile asset management tools and could lead to regulatory compliance issues under GDPR if personal or sensitive data is compromised.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Restrict physical and local access to mobile devices running IBM Maximo Mobile by enforcing strict device control policies, including device encryption, strong lock screens, and remote wipe capabilities. 2) Employ Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies, monitor device compliance, and remotely manage or disable compromised devices. 3) Educate users on the risks of device sharing and the importance of securing their mobile devices. 4) Where possible, upgrade to newer versions of IBM Maximo Mobile that address this vulnerability or apply any vendor-provided patches as soon as they become available. 5) Implement network-level controls such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and session timeouts on the Maximo backend to reduce the impact of credential compromise. 6) Monitor logs and user activity for anomalous access patterns that may indicate misuse of stolen credentials. 7) Consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools on mobile devices to detect unauthorized access attempts. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on device-level security controls, user training, and compensating controls at the backend system level.