CVE-2025-36229 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-497 (Exposure of Sensitive System Information to an Unauthorized Control Sphere) affecting IBM Aspera Faspex 5 versions 5.0.0 through 5.0.14.1. The vulnerability allows an authenticated user with low privileges to enumerate sensitive information by querying package identifiers related to data transfers. This enumeration can reveal metadata or details about pending or processed data packages that should otherwise remain confidential. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and does not allow modification or disruption of data, limiting its impact to confidentiality exposure only. The CVSS v3.1 score is 3.1, reflecting low severity due to the need for authentication, high attack complexity, and limited confidentiality impact. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no patches are currently linked, indicating that remediation may be pending or in development. The flaw could be leveraged by insiders or attackers who have gained low-level authenticated access to gather intelligence about data flows or system usage patterns within the Faspex environment. IBM Aspera Faspex is widely used in enterprise environments for high-speed file transfers, making this vulnerability relevant in contexts where sensitive data handling and transfer confidentiality are critical.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-36229 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive system information related to data package identifiers within IBM Aspera Faspex 5. This could lead to information leakage about data transfer activities, which may be leveraged for further reconnaissance or targeted attacks. Although the vulnerability does not allow data modification or service disruption, the exposure of metadata could compromise confidentiality, especially in sectors handling sensitive or regulated data such as finance, healthcare, and government. Organizations relying on Faspex for secure file transfers might face increased risks if attackers or malicious insiders exploit this flaw to map data flows or identify valuable data assets. However, the requirement for authenticated access and the high attack complexity reduce the likelihood of widespread exploitation. The absence of known exploits further limits immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for vigilance. Overall, the impact is moderate in confidentiality terms but low in terms of integrity and availability.

To mitigate CVE-2025-36229, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Monitor IBM’s security advisories closely and apply patches or updates promptly once released to address this vulnerability. 2) Restrict authenticated user permissions within Faspex to the minimum necessary, employing the principle of least privilege to limit access to package enumeration functions. 3) Implement robust authentication mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication, to reduce the risk of unauthorized authenticated access. 4) Audit and monitor access logs for unusual enumeration patterns or repeated queries that may indicate exploitation attempts. 5) Segment the Faspex environment within the network to limit lateral movement opportunities for attackers who gain access. 6) Educate users and administrators about the risks of information enumeration and encourage reporting of suspicious activities. 7) Consider additional compensating controls such as network-level access restrictions and anomaly detection systems tailored to Faspex traffic patterns. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control hardening, proactive monitoring, and rapid patch management specific to the vulnerability context.