CVE-2025-1950: Local User Command Execution Vulnerability in IBM Hardware Management Console

Overview

The cybersecurity landscape has always been a hotbed of challenges and risks, with vulnerabilities cropping up every now and then. One such vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-1950, has been discovered in IBM Hardware Management Console – Power Systems V10.2.1030.0 and V10.3.1050.0. This vulnerability can allow local users to execute commands locally due to improper validation of libraries originating from an untrusted source.
The vulnerability affects IBM’s Hardware Management Console, a key component in managing IBM’s Power Systems servers. With a high CVSS Severity Score of 9.3, this vulnerability can lead to potential system compromise or data leakage, thereby posing a significant threat to the security of the IBM Power Systems servers and the data contained within.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-1950
Severity: High (9.3)
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Potential system compromise or data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

IBM Hardware Management Console – Power Systems | V10.2.1030.0
IBM Hardware Management Console – Power Systems | V10.3.1050.0

How the Exploit Works

The vulnerability exists due to an improper validation of libraries sourced from untrusted origins. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by supplying a library from an untrusted source, which the affected system will take as legitimate. Once the library is loaded, it can allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands locally, thus leading to potential system compromise or data leakage.

Conceptual Example Code

Here’s a conceptual example of how the vulnerability might be exploited:

# An attacker could potentially load a malicious library:
LD_PRELOAD=/path/to/malicious/library /path/to/affected/IBM/HMC/software
# The malicious library could contain code that would be executed when loaded:
void _init() {
system("/bin/sh -i");
}

Please note that the above is a simplified and conceptual representation of an exploit. The actual exploitation process might involve more complex steps and obfuscation to avoid detection.

Mitigation Guidance

IBM has released patches to address this vulnerability. Users are strongly recommended to apply these patches as soon as possible. If for some reason the patches cannot be applied immediately, users can use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) as a temporary mitigation measure. However, these should not be seen as long-term solutions as they may not fully protect the system from potential exploitation of this vulnerability. Regular patch management and system updates remain the most effective way to protect systems from known vulnerabilities.