CVE-2025-1826 is a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability classified under CWE-79 that affects IBM Engineering Requirements Management DOORS Next, specifically the IBM Jazz Foundation versions 7.0.2 (including iFix034), 7.0.3 (including iFix016), and 7.1.0 (including iFix004). The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, allowing authenticated users within the host network to embed malicious JavaScript code into the web user interface. This injected script executes in the context of other users' browsers who access the affected interface, potentially altering the intended functionality of the application. The exploitation requires the attacker to have valid credentials and some level of access to the host network, as well as user interaction to trigger the malicious payload. The impact primarily affects confidentiality and integrity by enabling credential disclosure and manipulation of the web UI, but it does not affect system availability. The CVSS v3.1 score is 5.4, reflecting a medium severity due to the need for privileges and user interaction, but with network attack vector and low attack complexity. No public exploits are known at this time, but the vulnerability poses a risk in environments where multiple users share access to the IBM Jazz Foundation web interface. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, especially those used for critical engineering and requirements management tasks.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of user credentials and session hijacking within trusted internal networks, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or access sensitive project data. Given that IBM Jazz Foundation is used in engineering and requirements management, exploitation could compromise the integrity of critical project documentation and workflows, impacting product development lifecycles and compliance efforts. Industries such as automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and defense—where IBM DOORS Next is commonly deployed—may face increased risks of intellectual property theft or sabotage. The vulnerability’s requirement for authenticated access limits exposure to internal or trusted users, but insider threats or compromised credentials could be leveraged. Additionally, the ability to inject scripts could facilitate further attacks, such as lateral movement or deployment of secondary malware. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for targeted attacks, especially in high-value European sectors with stringent regulatory requirements like GDPR and NIS Directive.

European organizations should implement a multi-layered mitigation approach: 1) Apply official IBM patches or interim fixes as soon as they become available to address the vulnerability directly. 2) Restrict access to the IBM Jazz Foundation web interface by enforcing strict network segmentation and limiting authenticated user privileges to the minimum necessary. 3) Implement robust input validation and output encoding on any custom integrations or extensions interacting with the Jazz Foundation UI. 4) Deploy Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts within the web application context. 5) Monitor web UI logs and user activities for unusual behavior indicative of XSS exploitation attempts. 6) Educate users about the risks of clicking untrusted links or executing unknown scripts within the application. 7) Consider additional endpoint protection and anomaly detection tools to identify lateral movement or credential misuse stemming from this vulnerability. 8) Regularly review and update authentication mechanisms, including enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users accessing the platform.