CVE-2025-36248 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in IBM Copy Services Manager version 6.3.13. This vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation (CWE-79), allowing an authenticated user to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the web user interface. The injected script executes within the context of the trusted session, potentially altering the intended functionality of the application. This can lead to sensitive information disclosure, such as user credentials, session tokens, or other confidential data accessible within the session. The vulnerability requires the attacker to have authenticated access to the Copy Services Manager web interface, and some user interaction is necessary to trigger the malicious script. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.4, reflecting a medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, requiring privileges and user interaction, and impacting confidentiality and integrity but not availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. IBM Copy Services Manager is a specialized product used for managing data replication and copy services in enterprise storage environments, often integrated into critical IT infrastructure.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability could be significant, especially for enterprises relying on IBM Copy Services Manager for their data replication and disaster recovery processes. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of credentials or session tokens, enabling attackers to escalate privileges or move laterally within the network. This could compromise the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data and disrupt business continuity indirectly by undermining trust in backup and replication operations. Given that the vulnerability requires authenticated access, insider threats or compromised user accounts pose a higher risk. The alteration of UI functionality could also facilitate social engineering or phishing attacks within the organization. In sectors such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure—where IBM storage solutions are prevalent—this vulnerability could expose sensitive personal data or operational information, potentially violating GDPR and other regulatory requirements.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Restrict access to IBM Copy Services Manager web interface strictly to trusted administrators and use strong multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of compromised credentials. 2) Monitor and audit user activities within the application to detect anomalous behavior indicative of attempted XSS exploitation. 3) Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts targeting the Copy Services Manager UI. 4) Until an official patch is released, consider isolating the management interface from general network access using network segmentation and VPNs. 5) Educate administrators about the risks of XSS and the importance of not clicking on suspicious links or executing untrusted scripts within the management console. 6) Regularly check IBM security advisories for patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 7) Conduct internal penetration testing focused on web interface vulnerabilities to proactively identify and remediate similar issues.