CVE-2025-2694 is a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in IBM Sterling B2B Integrator and IBM Sterling File Gateway versions 6.0.0.0 through 6.1.2.7_1 and 6.2.0.0 through 6.2.0.4. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), allowing a privileged user to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the web user interface. This injected script can alter the intended functionality of the web application, potentially leading to the disclosure of sensitive information such as user credentials within a trusted session. The vulnerability requires a privileged user to exploit and also necessitates user interaction, as the malicious script executes in the context of a legitimate session. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.8 (medium severity), reflecting a network attack vector with low complexity, but requiring high privileges and user interaction. The scope is changed, indicating that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability affects critical business-to-business integration and file gateway products widely used for secure data exchange and business process automation, making it a concern for organizations relying on these IBM products for their supply chain and partner communications.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability could be significant, especially for those in sectors relying heavily on secure B2B data exchanges such as manufacturing, logistics, finance, and telecommunications. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of credentials and session data, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges or move laterally within the network. This could compromise the integrity of business transactions and disrupt automated workflows, leading to operational delays and financial losses. Additionally, exposure of sensitive partner or customer data could result in regulatory non-compliance under GDPR, leading to legal penalties and reputational damage. Since the vulnerability requires a privileged user to inject malicious scripts, insider threats or compromised privileged accounts pose a higher risk. The medium severity score suggests that while the vulnerability is not trivial, the exploitation complexity and required conditions reduce the likelihood of widespread impact. However, organizations with high-value integrations and complex partner ecosystems should prioritize mitigation to avoid potential cascading effects.

1. Restrict privileged user access strictly using the principle of least privilege and enforce strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the risk of account compromise. 2. Monitor and audit privileged user activities within the IBM Sterling B2B Integrator and File Gateway environments to detect anomalous behavior indicative of attempted script injection. 3. Implement web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious script payloads in web UI inputs. 4. Sanitize and validate all user inputs at the application level, ensuring that any embedded scripts or HTML are properly neutralized before rendering. 5. Stay alert for official IBM patches or security advisories addressing CVE-2025-2694 and apply updates promptly once available. 6. Conduct regular security awareness training for privileged users to recognize social engineering attempts that could lead to credential compromise. 7. Employ session management best practices such as short session timeouts and secure cookie attributes to limit the window of opportunity for exploitation. 8. Consider network segmentation to isolate critical B2B integration systems from general user networks, limiting exposure in case of compromise.