Overview
CVE-2025-36118 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting IBM Storage Virtualize versions 8.4, 8.5, 8.7, and 9.1. This flaw allows remote attackers to potentially obtain sensitive information from device memory through a specifically crafted Security Association (SA) negotiation request within the IKEv1 protocol. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could expose sensitive data, impacting the confidentiality of the affected storage systems.
Technical Details
The vulnerability lies in the implementation of IKEv1 (Internet Key Exchange version 1) within IBM Storage Virtualize. The flaw is triggered during the Security Association (SA) negotiation process. A remote attacker can send a malicious SA negotiation request that, when processed, causes the system to inadvertently disclose contents from device memory. The specific mechanism involves a malformed request leading to out-of-bounds reads during memory processing. The IKEv1 protocol, while deprecated in many contexts, is still enabled in vulnerable versions for compatibility purposes, creating an attack surface.
CVSS Analysis
- CVE ID: CVE-2025-36118
- Published: 2025-11-17T21:15:57.450
- Severity: HIGH
- CVSS Score: 7.5
This CVSS score indicates a significant risk. While the vulnerability does not directly grant system control, the disclosure of sensitive information can be used to facilitate further attacks, potentially leading to data breaches, privilege escalation, or denial-of-service conditions. The attack vector is network-based, and the attack complexity is considered moderate.
Possible Impact
Exploitation of CVE-2025-36118 can have severe consequences:
- Information Disclosure: The primary impact is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data residing in the memory of the IBM Storage Virtualize system. This data could include cryptographic keys, credentials, internal configuration details, or other sensitive information handled by the storage system.
- Data Breach: The exposed information could be leveraged to compromise the confidentiality and integrity of data stored on the affected system, potentially leading to a full-scale data breach.
- Privilege Escalation: In some scenarios, disclosed credentials or configuration details could be used to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to the storage system or related infrastructure.
- Compromised Data Security: The overall security posture of the storage environment is significantly weakened.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
IBM has released a fix to address CVE-2025-36118. It is strongly recommended that users of affected IBM Storage Virtualize versions (8.4, 8.5, 8.7, and 9.1) take the following steps:
- Apply the Patch: Immediately apply the fix available from IBM. Refer to the IBM Security Bulletin for detailed instructions on obtaining and installing the patch.
- Disable IKEv1 (If Possible): If your environment allows, consider disabling IKEv1 and migrating to IKEv2, which offers improved security features. Carefully assess compatibility before disabling IKEv1.
- Network Segmentation: Implement network segmentation to limit the exposure of IBM Storage Virtualize systems to potentially malicious networks.
- Monitor for Suspicious Activity: Closely monitor network traffic and system logs for any unusual activity that might indicate an attempted exploitation of this vulnerability.
