CVE-2025-36299 is a vulnerability identified in IBM Planning Analytics Local versions 2.1.0 through 2.1.14, categorized under CWE-540, which pertains to the storage of sensitive information in source code. This flaw arises when sensitive data such as credentials, keys, or configuration secrets are embedded directly within the source code files rather than being securely managed through environment variables or secure vaults. Attackers who gain access to the source code repository or deployment environment can extract this sensitive information, potentially enabling further attacks such as privilege escalation, lateral movement, or unauthorized data access. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 4.3, indicating medium severity, with an attack vector of network (remote exploitation), low attack complexity, and requiring privileges but no user interaction. The scope is unchanged, and the impact is limited to confidentiality loss without affecting integrity or availability. Although no public exploits are currently known, the presence of sensitive information in source code is a recognized security risk that can facilitate more severe attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities or insider threats. IBM has not yet published patches for this issue, so organizations must rely on mitigating controls until updates are available.

For European organizations, especially those in finance, consulting, and analytics sectors that rely on IBM Planning Analytics Local, this vulnerability poses a risk to the confidentiality of sensitive business data and credentials. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to internal systems, enabling attackers to move laterally within networks or exfiltrate sensitive information. This could result in regulatory compliance violations under GDPR due to potential data breaches, reputational damage, and financial losses. The medium severity rating reflects that while the vulnerability alone may not cause immediate disruption, it can be a stepping stone for more damaging attacks. Organizations with multi-tenant environments or those integrating IBM Planning Analytics with other critical systems may face compounded risks. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk, especially from insider threats or targeted attacks.

Organizations should immediately audit their IBM Planning Analytics Local deployments to identify any instances of sensitive information stored in source code. Until IBM releases official patches, the following specific actions are recommended: 1) Remove or refactor any hardcoded sensitive data from source code and replace it with secure secret management solutions such as HashiCorp Vault, Azure Key Vault, or AWS Secrets Manager. 2) Restrict access to source code repositories and deployment environments using strict role-based access controls and multi-factor authentication. 3) Conduct thorough code reviews and automated scans to detect embedded secrets using tools like GitGuardian or TruffleHog. 4) Monitor network and system logs for unusual access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5) Educate development and operations teams on secure coding practices to prevent recurrence. 6) Prepare for patch deployment by establishing a rapid update process once IBM releases fixes. 7) Consider network segmentation to limit the impact of potential breaches involving IBM Planning Analytics Local systems.