CVE-2025-46809 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-532, which involves the insertion of sensitive information into log files within the SUSE Multi Linux Manager container environment, specifically the suse/manager/5.0/x86_64/server:5.0.5.7.30.1 and related images based on SLES15-SP4-Manager-Server-4-3-BYOS variants. The vulnerability results in HTTP proxy credentials being exposed in log files. This exposure occurs because the application improperly logs sensitive authentication data, which can be accessed by unauthorized users who have read access to these logs. The affected versions include container images before 5.0.27-150600.3.33.1 and several SLES15-SP4-Manager-Server images before version 4.3.87-150400.3.110.2. The vulnerability has a CVSS v4.0 base score of 6.9, indicating a medium severity level. The vector details show that the attack vector is network-based (AV:N), with low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring partial authentication (PR:L) and user interaction (UI:P). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality highly (VC:H) but does not affect integrity or availability. The scope is unchanged, and there are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication. The root cause is improper handling of sensitive data during logging, which is a common security misconfiguration issue. This vulnerability could allow an attacker with limited privileges and some user interaction to obtain HTTP proxy credentials, potentially enabling further network reconnaissance or lateral movement within the affected environment.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could have significant implications, especially for those relying on SUSE Manager for container orchestration and Linux system management. Exposure of HTTP proxy credentials can lead to unauthorized access to internal or external network resources, enabling attackers to intercept or manipulate network traffic, bypass security controls, or pivot to other systems. Given that SUSE is widely used in enterprise environments across Europe, particularly in industries such as finance, manufacturing, and public sector organizations, the risk of credential leakage could compromise sensitive data and disrupt operational continuity. Additionally, the exposure of proxy credentials may facilitate further attacks such as man-in-the-middle (MITM) or unauthorized data exfiltration. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is not immediately critical, it poses a tangible risk that could escalate if combined with other vulnerabilities or misconfigurations. Organizations with strict compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR) may face regulatory consequences if sensitive information is leaked due to this vulnerability.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should: 1) Immediately update affected SUSE Manager container images and server modules to the fixed versions (5.0.27-150600.3.33.1 or later for containers and 4.3.87-150400.3.110.2 or later for server images). 2) Review and restrict access permissions to log files to ensure only authorized personnel can read sensitive logs, minimizing the risk of credential exposure. 3) Implement log sanitization or redaction mechanisms to prevent sensitive information from being recorded in logs. 4) Rotate HTTP proxy credentials regularly and immediately after patching to invalidate any potentially exposed credentials. 5) Monitor logs and network traffic for unusual access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. 6) Employ network segmentation and least privilege principles to limit the impact of compromised credentials. 7) Conduct security awareness training to reduce the risk of social engineering or user interaction-based exploitation. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on credential lifecycle management, access control, and proactive monitoring tailored to the specific nature of this vulnerability.