CVE-2025-52614 identifies a security vulnerability in the HCL Unica Platform, specifically versions up to 25.1, where cookies used in HTTPS sessions do not have the 'Secure' attribute set. The 'Secure' attribute is critical for cookies as it instructs browsers to only send cookies over encrypted HTTPS connections, preventing exposure over unencrypted HTTP. Without this attribute, cookies—even those containing sensitive session identifiers—may be transmitted over insecure channels, potentially allowing attackers to intercept them via man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-614, which concerns sensitive cookies lacking proper security flags. Exploitation requires an attacker to induce a user to click on a crafted link, implying user interaction is necessary. Additionally, the attacker needs some level of privileges (PR:L) and the attack vector is network-based (AV:N). The CVSS 3.1 base score is 3.5, indicating a low severity primarily due to limited confidentiality impact and no impact on integrity or availability. No public exploits are known, and the vulnerability does not allow unauthenticated remote exploitation. The issue arises from improper cookie configuration in the Unica Platform, which is widely used for marketing automation and customer engagement, making session security important to protect user data and maintain trust.

For European organizations using HCL Unica Platform, this vulnerability could lead to the exposure of session cookies if users access the platform over unsecured networks, such as public Wi-Fi. Intercepted cookies could allow attackers to hijack user sessions, potentially gaining unauthorized access to marketing data or customer information. While the impact on confidentiality is limited and no direct integrity or availability damage is expected, session hijacking can lead to unauthorized actions within the platform. This risk is heightened in environments where users frequently access the platform remotely or via insecure connections. The vulnerability could undermine compliance with European data protection regulations like GDPR if personal data is exposed due to session compromise. However, the requirement for user interaction and authentication reduces the likelihood of widespread exploitation. Organizations relying heavily on Unica for customer engagement and marketing analytics may face reputational damage and operational disruptions if session hijacking occurs.

To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should immediately review and update the cookie configuration in the HCL Unica Platform to ensure the 'Secure' attribute is set on all cookies used in HTTPS sessions. This change forces browsers to transmit cookies only over encrypted connections, preventing interception over HTTP. Additionally, enforcing strict HTTPS usage across the entire platform is critical; redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS and consider implementing HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) headers. Regularly audit web application configurations and perform security testing to verify cookie flags such as 'Secure' and 'HttpOnly' are properly set. Educate users about the risks of clicking on unsolicited or suspicious links to reduce the likelihood of social engineering exploitation. Monitor network traffic for unusual session activity that could indicate hijacking attempts. Finally, stay updated with HCL Software patches and advisories, applying any future fixes promptly once available.