CVE-2025-2987 is a server-side request forgery (SSRF) vulnerability identified in IBM Maximo Asset Management version 7.6.1.3. SSRF vulnerabilities occur when an attacker can abuse a server to send crafted requests to internal or external systems that the server can access, potentially bypassing network restrictions. In this case, the vulnerability requires the attacker to be authenticated, meaning they must have valid credentials to the Maximo system. Once authenticated, the attacker can exploit the SSRF flaw to send unauthorized requests from the Maximo server to other internal network resources or external endpoints. This can facilitate network reconnaissance by enumerating internal services and hosts that are otherwise inaccessible from outside the network. Additionally, SSRF can be a stepping stone for further attacks such as accessing sensitive internal APIs, exploiting trust relationships, or pivoting to other systems within the network. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-918, which specifically addresses SSRF issues. No public exploits are currently known in the wild, and IBM has not yet published a patch for this vulnerability as of the information provided. The vulnerability was reserved on March 30, 2025, and publicly disclosed on April 21, 2025. The severity is marked as medium, reflecting the requirement for authentication and the indirect nature of the attack vector, but the potential for significant internal network impact remains.

For European organizations using IBM Maximo Asset Management 7.6.1.3, this SSRF vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the confidentiality and integrity of internal network resources. Maximo is widely used in asset-intensive industries such as manufacturing, utilities, transportation, and facilities management, sectors critical to European infrastructure and economy. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could map internal network topology, identify vulnerable internal services, and potentially access sensitive internal APIs or data repositories. This could lead to unauthorized data disclosure, disruption of asset management operations, or facilitate lateral movement within the network. Given that Maximo often integrates with other enterprise systems and controls operational technology (OT) environments, the SSRF could indirectly impact availability if used to trigger further attacks or disrupt service communications. The requirement for authentication limits exposure to insiders or compromised credentials, but insider threats or credential theft remain realistic scenarios. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits post-disclosure. European organizations with critical infrastructure or large-scale asset management deployments should consider this vulnerability a significant risk vector.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting and monitoring user access to IBM Maximo Asset Management, ensuring that only trusted and necessary personnel have authentication credentials. 2. Implement strict network segmentation and firewall rules to limit the Maximo server's ability to initiate outbound requests to sensitive internal systems or external networks, reducing the SSRF attack surface. 3. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious SSRF patterns in HTTP requests originating from authenticated users. 4. Conduct thorough logging and monitoring of all outbound requests from the Maximo server to detect anomalous or unauthorized request patterns indicative of SSRF exploitation attempts. 5. Coordinate with IBM support or security advisories to obtain and apply patches or updates as soon as they become available. 6. Perform regular credential audits and enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for Maximo user accounts to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 7. Review and harden Maximo configurations to disable or restrict any unnecessary functionality that allows server-side HTTP requests. 8. Conduct internal penetration testing and vulnerability assessments focusing on SSRF and lateral movement risks within the Maximo environment.