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 from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, classified under CWE-79. Specifically, a privileged user can inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the web user interface, which is then stored and executed within the context of trusted sessions. Because the vulnerability requires privileged user access and does not require user interaction, it allows an attacker with elevated permissions to embed malicious scripts that could alter the intended functionality of the application. The exploitation can lead to partial compromise of confidentiality and integrity, such as disclosure of credentials or session tokens, potentially enabling further unauthorized actions within the Maximo environment. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, high privileges required, no user interaction, and a scope change. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and no official patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability affects a critical enterprise asset management platform widely used for managing physical assets and maintenance operations, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on IBM Maximo for operational continuity and security.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be substantial, especially for industries heavily dependent on asset management systems such as manufacturing, utilities, transportation, and energy sectors. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive operational data, credentials, or session tokens, potentially enabling lateral movement or privilege escalation within the enterprise network. This could disrupt maintenance workflows, cause operational delays, or lead to data integrity issues. Given that the vulnerability requires privileged user access, insider threats or compromised administrative accounts pose the highest risk. Moreover, the scope change indicated by the CVSS score suggests that the vulnerability could affect components beyond the initially targeted web interface, potentially impacting integrated systems or services. The lack of known exploits currently reduces immediate risk, but the medium severity and potential for credential theft warrant proactive mitigation to prevent exploitation in environments where IBM Maximo is critical to business operations.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should: 1) Immediately review and restrict privileged user access to IBM Maximo Asset Management, enforcing the principle of least privilege and monitoring for unusual administrative activities. 2) Implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data within the Maximo web interface, either through custom application controls or by applying vendor patches once available. 3) Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules tailored to detect and block stored XSS payloads targeting Maximo interfaces. 4) Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on the Maximo environment to identify and remediate any injection points. 5) Enhance session management controls, including short session timeouts and multi-factor authentication for privileged users, to reduce the risk of session hijacking. 6) Monitor security advisories from IBM closely for official patches or updates addressing CVE-2025-2986 and plan timely deployment. 7) Educate privileged users about the risks of injecting untrusted content and enforce strict change management policies to prevent unauthorized script insertion.