CVE-2025-2986 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in IBM Maximo Asset Management version 7.6.1.3. This vulnerability arises due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), allowing a privileged user to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the web user interface. Stored XSS means that the malicious script is permanently stored on the target server, for example, in a database, and then served to other users when they access the affected page. In this case, the vulnerability specifically affects the Maximo Asset Management platform, which is widely used for enterprise asset management, including critical infrastructure and industrial operations. The 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. Since the vulnerability requires a privileged user to embed the malicious code, the attack vector is limited to insiders or attackers who have already compromised a privileged account. However, once exploited, the malicious script can execute in the context of other users’ browsers who access the affected pages, enabling session hijacking, unauthorized actions, or data theft. There are no known public exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no patches have been released yet. The vulnerability was reserved on March 30, 2025, and publicly disclosed on April 25, 2025. The lack of a patch and the medium severity rating indicate that while the vulnerability is serious, it is not trivially exploitable by unauthenticated users and requires some level of access to the system.

For European organizations using IBM Maximo Asset Management 7.6.1.3, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive operational data. Maximo is often deployed in sectors such as manufacturing, utilities, transportation, and energy, which are critical to national infrastructure and economic stability. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of credentials and session tokens, enabling attackers to escalate privileges or move laterally within the network. This could disrupt asset management workflows, cause operational delays, or facilitate further attacks such as ransomware or data exfiltration. The requirement for a privileged user to inject the malicious script limits the attack surface but also highlights the importance of insider threat mitigation. The vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value European enterprises, especially those with complex supply chains and critical infrastructure dependencies. Additionally, the stored nature of the XSS means that multiple users could be affected once the malicious script is embedded, amplifying the potential impact.

1. Implement strict access controls and monitoring for privileged accounts within IBM Maximo to prevent unauthorized or malicious use. 2. Conduct regular audits of user-generated content and configuration inputs in Maximo to detect any suspicious or unauthorized scripts. 3. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block malicious JavaScript payloads targeting Maximo’s web interface. 4. Use Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of inline scripts and limit the domains from which scripts can be loaded, reducing the impact of XSS attacks. 5. Isolate Maximo instances in segmented network zones with limited access to reduce lateral movement in case of compromise. 6. Monitor logs for unusual activity related to privileged user actions and implement anomaly detection to identify potential exploitation attempts. 7. Engage with IBM support and subscribe to security advisories to apply patches promptly once they become available. 8. Educate privileged users on secure usage practices and the risks of embedding untrusted content. 9. Consider deploying runtime application self-protection (RASP) solutions that can detect and block XSS attacks in real time within the application environment.