CVE-2025-1142 is a server-side request forgery (SSRF) vulnerability identified in IBM Edge Application Manager version 4.5. SSRF vulnerabilities occur when an attacker can abuse a server to send unauthorized or crafted requests to internal or external systems. In this case, an authenticated attacker with limited privileges can exploit the vulnerability to make the IBM Edge Application Manager send arbitrary requests on their behalf. This can lead to network enumeration, allowing the attacker to map internal network resources that are otherwise inaccessible externally. Additionally, SSRF can be leveraged as a pivot point to facilitate further attacks such as accessing internal services, bypassing firewalls, or exploiting other vulnerabilities within the internal network. The CVSS v3.1 score of 5.4 (medium severity) reflects that the attack vector is network-based with low attack complexity, requiring privileges but no user interaction, and impacts confidentiality and integrity with no effect on availability. The vulnerability does not have known exploits in the wild as of the publication date, and no patches have been linked yet. Given the nature of IBM Edge Application Manager, which is used to orchestrate and manage edge computing workloads, this vulnerability could be particularly impactful in environments where edge devices and internal networks are interconnected, potentially exposing sensitive internal infrastructure to attackers who gain authenticated access to the management platform.

For European organizations, the impact of this SSRF vulnerability can be significant, especially for those deploying IBM Edge Application Manager in critical infrastructure, manufacturing, telecommunications, or smart city projects where edge computing is prevalent. Exploitation could allow attackers to perform reconnaissance on internal networks, potentially exposing sensitive data or internal services that are not otherwise accessible from outside. This could lead to further lateral movement or targeted attacks within the organization’s network. Confidentiality and integrity of internal communications and data could be compromised, undermining trust in edge computing deployments. Given the increasing adoption of edge computing in Europe to support IoT, Industry 4.0, and 5G services, this vulnerability could affect a broad range of sectors. The requirement for authentication limits the risk to insiders or attackers who have already compromised credentials, but it still represents a serious risk if credential theft or insider threats are present. The lack of known exploits currently provides a window for organizations to proactively mitigate the risk before active exploitation occurs.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting and monitoring access to the IBM Edge Application Manager interface to trusted and authorized personnel only, enforcing strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 2. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate the Edge Application Manager from sensitive internal resources, limiting the ability of SSRF to reach critical internal services. 3. Employ strict egress filtering and firewall rules on the Edge Application Manager host to restrict outbound requests only to necessary destinations, preventing arbitrary requests to internal or external systems. 4. Monitor logs and network traffic for unusual or unauthorized outbound requests originating from the Edge Application Manager to detect potential exploitation attempts. 5. Stay updated with IBM’s security advisories and apply patches or updates as soon as they become available to remediate the vulnerability. 6. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on SSRF and related vulnerabilities in edge computing environments. 7. Educate administrators and users about the risks of credential compromise and enforce least privilege principles to minimize the potential impact of an authenticated attacker.