CVE-2025-36102 is a security vulnerability identified in IBM Controller versions 11.1.0 through 11.1.1 and IBM Cognos Controller 11.0.0 through 11.0.1 FP6. The core issue is a CWE-602 weakness, where security enforcement intended to be performed on the server side is instead enforced only on the client side. This design flaw allows a privileged user to bypass input validation by manipulating client-side controls, causing the application to accept user input as trusted data without proper server-side verification. Since the vulnerability requires a privileged user (high privileges) and no user interaction, the attack vector is network-based but limited to authorized users. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 2.7, reflecting low severity due to limited impact on confidentiality and availability, with the primary impact on integrity. The vulnerability could allow malicious privileged users to inject or alter data in ways not intended by the server logic, potentially leading to incorrect financial reporting or data corruption within IBM Controller environments. No public exploits or patches are currently available, so organizations must rely on compensating controls until IBM releases a fix. The vulnerability highlights the risk of relying solely on client-side validation for critical security checks, emphasizing the need for robust server-side enforcement.

For European organizations, the impact primarily concerns data integrity within financial and operational reporting systems that use IBM Controller. Unauthorized data manipulation by privileged users could lead to inaccurate financial statements, compliance violations, and operational disruptions. While confidentiality and availability are not directly affected, the integrity compromise could undermine trust in business-critical data and decision-making processes. Organizations in sectors such as banking, manufacturing, and government agencies that rely on IBM Controller for consolidated financial reporting are particularly at risk. The low CVSS score indicates that the vulnerability is not easily exploitable by external attackers without privileged access, limiting widespread impact. However, insider threats or compromised privileged accounts could exploit this flaw to bypass validation controls, emphasizing the need for strict access management and monitoring.

To mitigate CVE-2025-36102, European organizations should: 1) Restrict privileged user access to IBM Controller systems using the principle of least privilege and enforce strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication. 2) Implement additional server-side input validation and sanitization controls where possible, ensuring that all user inputs are validated independently of client-side enforcement. 3) Monitor privileged user activities and audit logs for unusual or unauthorized data modifications within IBM Controller. 4) Segregate duties to reduce the risk of a single privileged user exploiting this vulnerability. 5) Stay informed on IBM security advisories and apply patches or updates promptly once available. 6) Consider deploying application-layer firewalls or runtime application self-protection (RASP) solutions that can detect and block anomalous input patterns. 7) Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on privileged user controls and input validation mechanisms within IBM Controller environments.