CVE-2025-0250 is a security vulnerability identified in HCL Software's IEM product, specifically version 1.2. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-319, which pertains to the cleartext transmission of sensitive information. In this case, the issue arises from the handling of an authorization token used for authentication and authorization purposes. This token is transmitted within a cookie but is not adequately protected during transmission, potentially exposing it to interception by unauthorized parties. The vulnerability does not directly affect the integrity or availability of the system but compromises confidentiality by increasing the risk that an attacker could capture the token and misuse it to gain unauthorized access. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 2.2, indicating a low severity level, with the vector string AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N. This means the attack vector is network-based, requires high attack complexity, high privileges, no user interaction, and impacts confidentiality to a low degree without affecting integrity or availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability's root cause is the transmission of sensitive authorization tokens in cleartext or insufficiently protected channels, which could be intercepted by network attackers, especially in environments where encryption is not enforced or improperly configured.

For European organizations using HCL IEM version 1.2, this vulnerability poses a confidentiality risk. If an attacker can intercept the authorization token, they may impersonate legitimate users or escalate privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized access to monitoring and management functions within the IEM platform. Although the vulnerability requires high privileges to exploit and has a low impact score, organizations operating in sectors with stringent data protection regulations such as GDPR must consider even low-severity vulnerabilities seriously. Exposure of authentication tokens could lead to compliance issues, reputational damage, and potential lateral movement within the network if combined with other vulnerabilities or misconfigurations. The risk is heightened in environments where network traffic is not fully encrypted or where internal network segmentation is weak, allowing attackers to sniff traffic. However, since no known exploits are reported and exploitation complexity is high, the immediate threat level is low but should not be ignored.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Ensure that all communications involving HCL IEM, especially those transmitting authentication tokens, are secured using strong encryption protocols such as TLS 1.2 or higher. 2) Review and enforce secure cookie attributes, including 'Secure' and 'HttpOnly' flags, to prevent token exposure via client-side scripts and ensure transmission only over encrypted channels. 3) Apply network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous traffic that could indicate token interception attempts. 4) Limit the lifetime and scope of authorization tokens to reduce the window of opportunity for misuse if intercepted. 5) Regularly audit and update HCL IEM installations and monitor vendor communications for patches addressing this vulnerability. 6) Educate privileged users about the risks of token exposure and enforce strict access controls to minimize the number of users with high privileges. 7) Employ intrusion detection systems capable of identifying suspicious network activities related to token theft or replay attacks.