CVE-2025-13161 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-23 (Relative Path Traversal) affecting IQ-Support version 1.0, a product developed by IQ Service International. The vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to exploit improper input validation in file path handling, enabling them to traverse directories and read arbitrary files on the target system. This arbitrary file read capability can expose sensitive system files, configuration data, or credentials stored on the server. The vulnerability requires no authentication, no user interaction, and has a low attack complexity, making it highly exploitable remotely over the network. The CVSS 4.0 base score of 8.7 reflects the high confidentiality impact (VC:H) with no impact on integrity or availability. The vulnerability is currently published but has no known exploits in the wild, indicating that proactive mitigation is still possible. The lack of available patches suggests that organizations must implement compensating controls such as input validation, web application firewalls, or network segmentation to reduce exposure. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to significant data breaches, especially if sensitive files like password stores or private keys are accessed. Given the product's niche usage, the scope of affected systems is limited to installations of IQ-Support 1.0, but the risk remains critical for those environments.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-13161 can be severe, particularly for entities using IQ-Support 1.0 in environments handling sensitive or regulated data such as finance, healthcare, or government sectors. Unauthorized access to arbitrary files can lead to exposure of confidential information, intellectual property, or credentials, potentially facilitating further attacks like privilege escalation or lateral movement within networks. The breach of confidentiality can result in regulatory penalties under GDPR, reputational damage, and operational disruptions. Since the vulnerability requires no authentication and can be exploited remotely, attackers can leverage it as an initial foothold or reconnaissance tool. Organizations relying on IQ-Support for critical support or operational functions may face increased risk of targeted attacks. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for mitigation, but the high CVSS score underscores the urgency. The impact is amplified in environments lacking robust network segmentation or monitoring, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation and data exfiltration.

1. Immediately audit all deployments of IQ-Support version 1.0 within the organization to identify affected systems. 2. If available, apply vendor patches or updates addressing CVE-2025-13161; if no patches exist, consider upgrading to a newer, unaffected version. 3. Implement strict input validation on file path parameters to prevent directory traversal sequences such as '../'. 4. Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block path traversal attempts targeting IQ-Support endpoints. 5. Restrict file system permissions for the IQ-Support application to limit access to only necessary directories and files, minimizing exposure if exploited. 6. Monitor logs and network traffic for unusual file access patterns or repeated attempts to access sensitive files. 7. Segment networks to isolate IQ-Support servers from critical infrastructure and sensitive data repositories. 8. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on path traversal and file read vulnerabilities. 9. Educate IT and security teams about this vulnerability to ensure rapid detection and response. 10. Prepare incident response plans specifically addressing potential data breaches resulting from arbitrary file read exploits.