CVE-2025-36386
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2025-36386 is an authentication bypass vulnerability in IBM Maximo Application Suite that allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access without valid credentials. This affects IBM Maximo Application Suite versions 9.0.0 through 9.0.15 and 9.1.0 through 9.1.4. Attackers can exploit this to access sensitive data and administrative functions.
💻 Affected Systems
- IBM Maximo Application Suite
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of the Maximo environment, allowing attackers to access all data, modify configurations, deploy malicious code, and potentially pivot to other systems.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to sensitive business data, manipulation of asset management records, and potential data exfiltration.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper network segmentation, strong monitoring, and compensating controls preventing lateral movement.
🎯 Exploit Status
Authentication bypass vulnerabilities typically have low exploitation complexity and are often weaponized quickly.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Apply IBM Maximo Application Suite 9.0.16 or 9.1.5 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7249416
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download the latest patch from IBM Fix Central. 2. Backup your current installation. 3. Apply the patch following IBM's installation guide. 4. Restart all Maximo services. 5. Verify the patch was applied successfully.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Access Restriction
allRestrict network access to Maximo Application Suite to only trusted IP addresses
Web Application Firewall Rules
allImplement WAF rules to detect and block authentication bypass attempts
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate the Maximo instance behind a firewall with strict IP whitelisting
- Implement additional authentication layers such as VPN or reverse proxy with authentication
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the Maximo version via the application interface or by examining installation files. Versions 9.0.0-9.0.15 or 9.1.0-9.1.4 are vulnerable.Check Version:
Check the Maximo application interface under Help > About or examine the version.properties file in the installation directory.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify the version is 9.0.16+ or 9.1.5+ and test authentication mechanisms to ensure they cannot be bypassed.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Failed authentication attempts followed by successful access from same IP
- Access to administrative functions from unauthenticated users
- Unusual access patterns outside normal business hours
Network Indicators:
- Direct access to Maximo endpoints without authentication headers
- Traffic to Maximo from unexpected IP ranges
SIEM Query:
source="maximo_logs" AND (event_type="authentication_bypass" OR (auth_result="FAILED" AND auth_result="SUCCESS" within 5 minutes from same src_ip))