CVE-2025-52631 identifies a security vulnerability in HCL AION version 2.0 related to the absence or improper configuration of the HTTP Strict-Transport-Security (HSTS) header. HSTS is a web security policy mechanism that instructs browsers to only interact with a website using HTTPS, preventing downgrade attacks and cookie hijacking. The missing or insecure HSTS header means that users can be tricked into connecting over insecure HTTP connections, exposing the communication to man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks where an attacker intercepts or modifies data in transit. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor), as it potentially exposes sensitive session data or authentication tokens. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:L) indicates that the attack is network-based, requires high attack complexity, low privileges, and user interaction, with limited confidentiality impact and no impact on integrity or availability. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks, especially in environments where secure transport policies are critical. The lack of a patch or mitigation guidance from the vendor suggests that organizations must implement their own controls to enforce HTTPS and HSTS policies.

For European organizations, this vulnerability primarily threatens the confidentiality of data transmitted via HCL AION 2.0 web interfaces. Attackers positioned on the network path could intercept sensitive information such as session cookies or authentication tokens, potentially leading to session hijacking or unauthorized access. While the direct impact on data integrity and availability is minimal, the exposure of sensitive information can facilitate further attacks. Sectors such as finance, government, and critical infrastructure that rely on HCL AION for business process automation or integration may face increased risk, especially if deployed in environments with inadequate network security controls. The vulnerability could undermine trust in secure communications and compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR if personal data is exposed. However, the low CVSS score and requirement for user interaction reduce the likelihood of widespread exploitation.

European organizations should immediately verify that HCL AION 2.0 deployments enforce HTTPS connections and implement HSTS headers with appropriate parameters (e.g., 'max-age', 'includeSubDomains', and 'preload'). Network administrators should configure web servers or reverse proxies to add or correct the HSTS header if missing or misconfigured. Additionally, organizations should conduct security assessments to identify any insecure HTTP endpoints and redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS. Employing network-level protections such as TLS inspection, intrusion detection systems, and strict transport security policies can further reduce risk. User education to recognize and avoid insecure connections and suspicious prompts is also beneficial. Monitoring network traffic for downgrade attempts and anomalous behavior can help detect exploitation attempts. Finally, organizations should engage with HCL support for updates or patches and consider upgrading to newer versions if available.