CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2025-13915NVD status: Analyzed

API Connect: Authentication Bypass by Primary Weakness

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2025-13915 is a critical-severity authentication bypass by primary weakness vulnerability in API Connect from IBM, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected API Connect versions: 10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.5; 10.0.11.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 9.01% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 4.65% of all scored CVEs.

Patch this week

Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.

What to do

  1. Check which version of API Connect you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on ibm.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  3. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
IBMAPI Connect10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.5; 10.0.11.0Not stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (us.ibm.com).

Official description

IBM API Connect 10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.5, and 10.0.11.0 could allow a remote attacker to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to the application.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Authentication Bypass by Primary Weakness

The authentication algorithm is sound, but the implemented mechanism can be bypassed as the result of a separate weakness that is primary to the authentication error.

More Authentication Bypass by Primary Weakness vulnerabilities (CWE-305)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in API Connect

All API Connect vulnerabilities

Recent Authentication Bypass by Primary Weakness vulnerabilities

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