CVE-2025-31962 identifies a security vulnerability classified under CWE-613 (Insufficient Session Expiration) in HCL BigFix IVR version 4.2. The vulnerability exists in the Web UI authentication component, where session tokens or cookies have excessively long expiration periods. This design flaw allows an authenticated attacker—who already has valid credentials—to maintain access to protected API endpoints for longer than intended, effectively prolonging their session beyond secure limits. The vulnerability does not directly allow privilege escalation or remote unauthenticated access but poses a risk by extending the window during which an attacker can operate undetected. The CVSS v3.1 score is 2.0, reflecting low severity due to the requirement of high privileges (PR:H) and user interaction (UI:R), as well as the limited impact on confidentiality (C:L) and no impact on integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no patches are currently linked, indicating that organizations should proactively implement mitigations. This vulnerability highlights the importance of strict session management, especially in enterprise software managing critical endpoints. Attackers exploiting this could maintain unauthorized access if sessions are not invalidated promptly after logout or inactivity.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability is primarily related to confidentiality risks due to prolonged unauthorized access. Organizations using HCL BigFix IVR 4.2 may face increased risk of data exposure or unauthorized API usage if attackers leverage extended sessions. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise system integrity or availability, it can facilitate lateral movement or data reconnaissance within the network. This is particularly concerning for sectors with sensitive data or critical infrastructure management, such as finance, energy, and government agencies. The low CVSS score suggests limited immediate risk, but the potential for session hijacking or misuse in environments with weak session controls could amplify the impact. European entities with compliance requirements around session management and access control (e.g., GDPR, NIS Directive) should consider this vulnerability a risk to their security posture and regulatory adherence.

1. Immediately review and reduce session expiration times in HCL BigFix IVR 4.2 to the shortest practical duration consistent with operational needs. 2. Implement forced re-authentication for sensitive operations or after periods of inactivity. 3. Monitor session activity logs for unusual patterns indicating prolonged or suspicious sessions. 4. Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the risk of credential misuse. 5. If possible, apply any vendor patches or updates addressing session management issues once available. 6. Consider deploying web application firewalls (WAFs) or API gateways to detect and block anomalous API calls. 7. Educate administrators and users about secure session handling and the risks of leaving sessions active. 8. Conduct regular security audits focusing on session management controls and token invalidation mechanisms. 9. Isolate critical API endpoints behind additional authentication or network segmentation to limit exposure. 10. Engage with HCLSoftware support for guidance and to track patch releases related to this vulnerability.