CVE-2025-13491 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-426, which pertains to untrusted search path issues in the IBM App Connect Operator, specifically affecting versions up to 12.19.0 (Continuous Delivery) and 12.0 LTS (Long Term Support). The vulnerability arises because the software does not securely handle the search path for executables or libraries, allowing an attacker with local access to influence which files are loaded during execution. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive files or unauthorized modification of configuration settings. The vulnerability does not require any privileges or user interaction, but the attacker must have local access to the system. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.1, indicating a medium severity level, with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N, meaning local attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, and low impact on confidentiality and integrity, with no impact on availability. No public exploits have been reported yet, and IBM has not provided patch links at the time of this report. The vulnerability could be exploited in environments where IBM App Connect Operator is deployed, potentially impacting enterprise integration workflows and sensitive data processed by these systems.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-13491 could be significant in environments where IBM App Connect Operator is used to integrate critical business applications and data flows. Exploitation could allow attackers with local access to escalate their capabilities by accessing sensitive configuration files or modifying integration settings, potentially leading to data leakage, disruption of business processes, or further compromise of connected systems. Although the vulnerability requires local access, in cloud or containerized environments where multiple tenants or users share infrastructure, the risk of lateral movement increases. This could affect sectors such as finance, manufacturing, telecommunications, and public services that rely heavily on IBM App Connect for enterprise integration. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is not critical, it still poses a tangible risk that could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Monitor IBM’s security advisories closely and apply patches or updates as soon as IBM releases them for the affected App Connect Operator versions. 2) Restrict local access to systems running the IBM App Connect Operator to trusted administrators only, using strict access controls and multi-factor authentication. 3) Harden container and host environments by enforcing strict file system permissions and verifying the integrity of executable paths to prevent unauthorized file placement or path manipulation. 4) Employ runtime security tools that can detect anomalous file access or execution behavior within containers and hosts. 5) Use container image scanning and signing to ensure only trusted images are deployed. 6) Regularly audit configuration files and system binaries for unauthorized changes. 7) Segment networks to limit lateral movement opportunities if local access is gained. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific attack vector of untrusted search paths and local access requirements.