CVE-2025-2988 is a vulnerability identified in IBM Sterling B2B Integrator and IBM Sterling File Gateway versions 6.0.0.0 through 6.1.2.7, 6.2.0.0 through 6.2.0.4, and 6.2.1.0. The issue is categorized under CWE-497, which involves the exposure of sensitive system information to an unauthorized control sphere. Specifically, this vulnerability allows an unauthorized user to access sensitive server information that should otherwise be protected. Such information disclosure could potentially assist attackers in crafting more targeted and effective attacks against the affected systems. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 2.7, indicating a low severity level. The vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N) reveals that the attack vector is network-based, requires low attack complexity, but requires high privileges (PR:H) and no user interaction. The impact is limited to confidentiality with no effect on integrity or availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of IBM Sterling B2B Integrator, a widely used platform for business-to-business data exchange and file transfer management, which is critical in supply chain and enterprise integration scenarios.

For European organizations, the exposure of sensitive system information in IBM Sterling B2B Integrator could have several implications. Although the severity is low, the disclosed information might include configuration details, system architecture, or other metadata that could facilitate reconnaissance by attackers. This could lead to more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation, targeted phishing, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities. Since IBM Sterling B2B Integrator is often used in critical supply chain and financial transaction environments, any compromise could disrupt business operations or lead to data breaches. European organizations handling sensitive or regulated data (e.g., under GDPR) must consider the risk of indirect impact through chained attacks. The requirement for high privileges to exploit this vulnerability somewhat limits the risk to insider threats or attackers who have already gained elevated access, but it still warrants attention in environments where multiple users have administrative access.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should: 1) Immediately review and restrict administrative access to IBM Sterling B2B Integrator systems, ensuring that only necessary personnel have high privilege accounts. 2) Monitor and audit access logs for unusual or unauthorized attempts to access sensitive system information. 3) Implement network segmentation and firewall rules to limit exposure of the IBM Sterling B2B Integrator servers to trusted networks and users only. 4) Apply the principle of least privilege in user role assignments within the platform. 5) Stay alert for official patches or updates from IBM addressing CVE-2025-2988 and apply them promptly once available. 6) Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing focusing on information disclosure vectors. 7) Educate administrators about the risks of information disclosure and the importance of secure configuration management. These steps go beyond generic advice by emphasizing access control tightening, monitoring, and proactive vulnerability management tailored to the affected product and environment.