CVE-2025-25048 is a medium-severity vulnerability classified as CWE-23 (Relative Path Traversal) affecting IBM Jazz Foundation versions 7.0.2 through 7.0.2 iFix033, 7.0.3 through 7.0.3 iFix012, and 7.1.0 through 7.1.0 iFix002. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of sequences in file paths that can be manipulated by an authenticated user to upload files to restricted directories on the system. This path traversal flaw allows attackers to bypass intended directory restrictions by crafting file paths containing relative path elements (e.g., "../") that resolve outside the allowed upload directory. Although the attacker must be authenticated and user interaction is required, the vulnerability does not require elevated privileges (PR:N) and can be exploited remotely (AV:N) with low attack complexity (AC:L). The impact is primarily on integrity (I:H), as unauthorized files could be placed in sensitive locations, potentially leading to code execution, configuration manipulation, or other malicious activities. Confidentiality and availability impacts are not indicated. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability affects a widely used IBM collaboration and software development platform, which is often deployed in enterprise environments for project management and software lifecycle management.

For European organizations using IBM Jazz Foundation, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the integrity of their software development and project management environments. Unauthorized file uploads to restricted directories could allow attackers to implant malicious scripts, alter configuration files, or disrupt development workflows. This could lead to compromised build processes, introduction of backdoors, or leakage of sensitive project information indirectly through manipulated artifacts. Given the collaborative nature of Jazz Foundation, exploitation could also affect multiple teams and projects, amplifying the impact. Organizations in regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure in Europe could face compliance violations and operational disruptions if this vulnerability is exploited. The requirement for authentication limits exposure to insider threats or compromised credentials, but the low complexity and remote exploitability mean that attackers with valid access could leverage this flaw effectively.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Immediately audit user permissions and restrict upload capabilities to only trusted users and roles within IBM Jazz Foundation. 2) Monitor and log all file upload activities, especially attempts to use path traversal sequences, to detect suspicious behavior early. 3) Apply strict input validation and sanitization on file paths at the application layer to prevent traversal sequences from being processed. 4) Isolate the Jazz Foundation server in a segmented network zone with limited access to critical infrastructure to reduce lateral movement risk. 5) Regularly review and update authentication mechanisms to prevent credential compromise, including enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users. 6) Stay alert for IBM patch releases addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 7) Conduct internal penetration testing focusing on file upload functionalities to identify any residual path traversal or related weaknesses. 8) Implement file integrity monitoring on directories that could be targeted to detect unauthorized changes quickly.