CVE-2025-36161 identifies a vulnerability in IBM Concert versions 1.0.0 through 2.0.0 related to the improper enforcement of HTTP Strict-Transport-Security (HSTS). HSTS is a web security policy mechanism that helps protect websites against protocol downgrade attacks and cookie hijacking by instructing browsers to only interact with the server over HTTPS. The failure to properly enable HSTS means that IBM Concert’s web interface or API endpoints may accept or redirect to unsecured HTTP connections, exposing sensitive data to interception. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-327, indicating the use of a broken or risky cryptographic algorithm or mechanism. In this case, the risk arises from the lack of enforced secure transport rather than a cryptographic algorithm flaw per se. An attacker positioned on the network path (e.g., on the same Wi-Fi network or controlling a router) could exploit this by intercepting HTTP traffic, performing man-in-the-middle attacks to capture sensitive information such as authentication tokens, session cookies, or other confidential data transmitted by IBM Concert clients. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.9, reflecting a medium severity with the vector AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, meaning the attack is network-based, requires high attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction, impacts confidentiality but not integrity or availability, and the scope remains unchanged. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the vulnerability poses a significant risk in environments where IBM Concert is used without proper HTTPS enforcement. The vulnerability affects IBM Concert versions 1.0.0 through 2.0.0, which are used in enterprise environments for collaboration and workflow management. The absence of patch links suggests that remediation may require configuration changes or vendor updates.

For European organizations, this vulnerability primarily threatens the confidentiality of sensitive information transmitted via IBM Concert’s web interfaces. Industries such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that rely on IBM Concert for collaboration and workflow management could face data leakage risks if attackers intercept unprotected HTTP traffic. The vulnerability could facilitate espionage, data theft, or unauthorized disclosure of proprietary or personal data, potentially violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. Since the attack requires network access and has high complexity, the risk is higher in environments with insecure or public networks. The lack of impact on integrity and availability limits the threat to data exposure rather than system disruption. However, the reputational damage and regulatory penalties from data breaches could be significant. Organizations with remote or hybrid workforces using IBM Concert over unsecured networks are particularly vulnerable. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future attacks.

To mitigate CVE-2025-36161, European organizations should immediately verify and enforce HTTP Strict-Transport-Security (HSTS) headers on all IBM Concert web services. This involves configuring IBM Concert servers or reverse proxies to include the HSTS header with appropriate parameters (e.g., max-age, includeSubDomains, preload). Organizations should ensure that all HTTP traffic is redirected to HTTPS and that TLS configurations follow best practices, including use of strong cipher suites and certificates. Network segmentation and use of VPNs can reduce exposure to MitM attacks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should validate that no unsecured HTTP endpoints exist. Monitoring network traffic for unusual patterns indicative of interception attempts is recommended. Organizations should also stay alert for vendor patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly. Employee training on secure network usage and awareness of MitM risks can further reduce exploitation likelihood. Finally, reviewing and updating incident response plans to include scenarios involving data interception will improve preparedness.