MQ Operator: Improper Certificate Validation
CVE-2025-36041 is a critical-severity improper certificate validation vulnerability in MQ Operator 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 MQ Operator versions: 2.0.0 LTS through 2.0.29 LTS; 3.0.0, 3.0.1, 3.1.0, 3.1.3, 3.4.0, 3.5.0, 3.5.1, 3.5.3 CD; 3.2.0 SC2 through 3.2.10 SC2. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.37% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of MQ Operator you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on ibm.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBM | MQ Operator | 2.0.0 LTS through 2.0.29 LTS; 3.0.0, 3.0.1, 3.1.0, 3.1.3, 3.4.0, 3.5.0, 3.5.1, 3.5.3 CD; 3.2.0 SC2 through 3.2.10 SC2 | Not stated |
| IBM | Supplied Mq Advanced Container Images | 9.2.0.1; 9.2.0.2; 9.2.0.4; 9.2.0.5; 9.2.0.6; 9.2.3.0; 9.2.4.0; 9.2.5.0; and 32 more ranges | Not 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 NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 4.7 | Medium | CNA (us.ibm.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
IBM MQ Operator LTS 2.0.0 through 2.0.29, MQ Operator CD 3.0.0, 3.0.1, 3.1.0 through 3.1.3, 3.3.0, 3.4.0, 3.4.1, 3.5.0, 3.5.1 through 3.5.3, and MQ Operator SC2 3.2.0 through 3.2.12 Native HA CRR could be configured with a private key and chain other than the intended key which could disclose sensitive information or allow the attacker to perform unauthorized actions.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Certificate Validation
The product does not validate, or incorrectly validates, a certificate.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Certificates should be carefully managed and checked to assure that data are encrypted with the intended owner's public key.
- If certificate pinning is being used, ensure that all relevant properties of the certificate are fully validated before the certificate is pinned, including the hostname.
More Improper Certificate Validation vulnerabilities (CWE-295)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other vulnerabilities in MQ Operator
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Improper Certificate Validation vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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