AIX: Process Control
CVE-2025-36250 is a critical-severity process control vulnerability in AIX 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 AIX versions: 7.2; 7.3. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.67% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 53% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of AIX 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
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 | 10.0 | Critical | CNA (us.ibm.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM VIOS 3.1, and 4.1 NIM server (formerly known as NIM master) service (nimesis) could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands due to improper process controls. This addresses additional attack vectors for a vulnerability that was previously addressed in CVE-2024-56346.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Process Control
Executing commands or loading libraries from an untrusted source or in an untrusted environment can cause an application to execute malicious commands (and payloads) on behalf of an attacker.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other vulnerabilities in AIX
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Process Control vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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