CVE-2025-36051 is a vulnerability identified in IBM QRadar SIEM versions 7.5.0 through 7.5.0 Update Package 14, categorized under CWE-538, which pertains to the insertion of sensitive information into externally accessible files or directories. The issue arises because QRadar stores potentially sensitive configuration data in files that can be accessed by local users without requiring authentication. This exposure could allow an attacker with local access to the system to read sensitive information, such as credentials or configuration details, which could facilitate further attacks or unauthorized access. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a low attack complexity, but it is limited to local access vectors, meaning remote exploitation is not feasible. The CVSS v3.1 score of 6.2 reflects a medium severity, with high impact on confidentiality but no impact on integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and IBM has not yet published patches or updates addressing this issue. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure file permission management and sensitive data handling within security information and event management systems.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-36051 is unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored in configuration files of IBM QRadar SIEM. This can lead to confidentiality breaches, potentially exposing credentials, system configurations, or other sensitive operational data to local attackers. Such information disclosure could facilitate privilege escalation, lateral movement, or targeted attacks within an organization's network. Although the vulnerability requires local access, in environments where multiple users share access or where attackers can gain initial footholds, this flaw increases the risk of further compromise. The vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, so direct disruption or data manipulation is unlikely. However, the exposure of sensitive data in a security monitoring tool like QRadar could undermine an organization's security posture and incident response capabilities. Organizations relying heavily on QRadar for security monitoring, especially in regulated industries or critical infrastructure sectors, face increased risk of data leakage and subsequent exploitation.

To mitigate CVE-2025-36051, organizations should first apply any available patches or updates from IBM once released. In the absence of patches, administrators should immediately audit and tighten file system permissions on QRadar configuration files to restrict access strictly to authorized system and application users. Implementing mandatory access controls (MAC) or enhanced file system security policies can help prevent unauthorized local user access. Additionally, organizations should monitor local user activity and access logs for suspicious behavior indicative of unauthorized file access. Employing host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) can provide alerts on anomalous file access patterns. Segmentation of user roles and limiting local user accounts on QRadar servers will reduce the attack surface. Regularly reviewing and rotating credentials stored in configuration files can limit the impact if exposure occurs. Finally, educating system administrators and users about the risks of local access and enforcing least privilege principles will further reduce exploitation likelihood.