{"dataType":"CVE_RECORD","dataVersion":"5.2","cveMetadata":{"cveId":"CVE-2025-36244","assignerOrgId":"9a959283-ebb5-44b6-b705-dcc2bbced522","state":"PUBLISHED","assignerShortName":"ibm","dateReserved":"2025-04-15T21:16:43.930Z","datePublished":"2025-09-16T14:38:08.632Z","dateUpdated":"2026-02-26T17:48:29.890Z"},"containers":{"cna":{"affected":[{"cpes":["cpe:2.3:o:ibm:aix:7.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*","cpe:2.3:o:ibm:aix:7.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*","cpe:2.3:a:ibm:vios:3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*","cpe:2.3:a:ibm:vios:4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*"],"defaultStatus":"unaffected","product":"AIX","vendor":"IBM","versions":[{"status":"affected","version":"7.2"},{"status":"affected","version":"7.3"}]},{"defaultStatus":"unaffected","product":"VIOS","vendor":"IBM","versions":[{"status":"affected","version":"3.1"},{"status":"affected","version":"4.1"}]}],"descriptions":[{"lang":"en","supportingMedia":[{"base64":false,"type":"text/html","value":"IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, IBM VIOS 3.1, and 4.1, when configured to use Kerberos network authentication, could allow a local user to write to files on the system with root privileges due to improper initialization of critical variables."}],"value":"IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, IBM VIOS 3.1, and 4.1, when configured to use Kerberos network authentication, could allow a local user to write to files on the system with root privileges due to improper initialization of critical variables."}],"metrics":[{"cvssV3_1":{"attackComplexity":"HIGH","attackVector":"LOCAL","availabilityImpact":"HIGH","baseScore":7.4,"baseSeverity":"HIGH","confidentialityImpact":"HIGH","integrityImpact":"HIGH","privilegesRequired":"NONE","scope":"UNCHANGED","userInteraction":"NONE","vectorString":"CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H","version":"3.1"},"format":"CVSS","scenarios":[{"lang":"en","value":"GENERAL"}]}],"problemTypes":[{"descriptions":[{"cweId":"CWE-454","description":"CWE-454 External Initialization of Trusted Variables or Data Stores","lang":"en","type":"CWE"}]}],"providerMetadata":{"orgId":"9a959283-ebb5-44b6-b705-dcc2bbced522","shortName":"ibm","dateUpdated":"2025-09-22T18:10:06.615Z"},"references":[{"tags":["vendor-advisory","patch"],"url":"https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7245092"}],"solutions":[{"lang":"en","supportingMedia":[{"base64":false,"type":"text/html","value":"

IBM strongly recommends addressing the vulnerability now.

 

AIX and VIOS fixes are available. The AIX and VIOS fixes can be downloaded via https from:

https://aix.software.ibm.com/aix/efixes/security/kerberos_fix.tar 

 

The link above is to a tar file containing this signed advisory, fix packages, and OpenSSL signatures for each package. The fixes below include prerequisite checking. This will enforce the correct mapping between the fixes and AIX Technology Levels.

 

You must be on the 'prereq for installation' level before applying the interim fix. This may require installing a new level(prereq version) first from:

https://www.ibm.com/resources/mrs/assets?source=aixbp

 

AIX LevelInterim FixFileset Name (prereq for installation)
7.2, 7.3IJ55344s9a.250722.epkg.Zkrb5.client.rte (1.16.1.7)

 

VIOS LevelInterim FixFileset Name (prereq for installation)
3.1, 4.1IJ55344s9a.250722.epkg.Zkrb5.client.rte (1.16.1.7)

 

To extract the fixes from the tar file:

 

tar xvf kerberos_fix.tar

cd kerberos_fix

 

Verify you have retrieved the fixes intact:

The checksums below were generated using the \"openssl dgst -sha256 [filename]\" command as the following:

 

openssl dgst -sha256filename
7e771a31c6f02b5635d99e3444c6085c1c67fd744ed00eade1d042134df6bb54IJ55344s9a.250722.epkg.Z

 

These sums should match exactly. The OpenSSL signatures in the tar file and on this advisory can also be used to verify the integrity of the fixes. If the sums or signatures cannot be confirmed, contact IBM Support at http://ibm.com/support/ and describe the discrepancy.        

 

openssl dgst -sha256 -verify [pubkey_file] -signature [advisory_file].sig [advisory_file]

openssl dgst -sha256 -verify [pubkey_file] -signature [ifix_file].sig [ifix_file]

 

Published advisory OpenSSL signature file location:

https://aix.software.ibm.com/aix/efixes/security/kerberos_advisory.asc.sig

\n\n
"}],"value":"IBM strongly recommends addressing the vulnerability now.\n\n \n\nAIX and VIOS fixes are available. The AIX and VIOS fixes can be downloaded via https from:\n\n https://aix.software.ibm.com/aix/efixes/security/kerberos_fix.tar  \n\n \n\nThe link above is to a tar file containing this signed advisory, fix packages, and OpenSSL signatures for each package. The fixes below include prerequisite checking. This will enforce the correct mapping between the fixes and AIX Technology Levels.\n\n \n\nYou must be on the 'prereq for installation' level before applying the interim fix. This may require installing a new level(prereq version) first from:\n\n https://www.ibm.com/resources/mrs/assets?source=aixbp \n\n \n\nAIX LevelInterim FixFileset Name (prereq for installation)7.2, 7.3IJ55344s9a.250722.epkg.Zkrb5.client.rte (1.16.1.7)\n\n \n\nVIOS LevelInterim FixFileset Name (prereq for installation)3.1, 4.1IJ55344s9a.250722.epkg.Zkrb5.client.rte (1.16.1.7)\n\n \n\nTo extract the fixes from the tar file:\n\n \n\ntar xvf kerberos_fix.tar\n\ncd kerberos_fix\n\n \n\nVerify you have retrieved the fixes intact:\n\nThe checksums below were generated using the \"openssl dgst -sha256 [filename]\" command as the following:\n\n \n\nopenssl dgst -sha256filename7e771a31c6f02b5635d99e3444c6085c1c67fd744ed00eade1d042134df6bb54IJ55344s9a.250722.epkg.Z\n\n \n\nThese sums should match exactly. The OpenSSL signatures in the tar file and on this advisory can also be used to verify the integrity of the fixes. If the sums or signatures cannot be confirmed, contact IBM Support at http://ibm.com/support/  and describe the discrepancy.        \n\n \n\nopenssl dgst -sha256 -verify [pubkey_file] -signature [advisory_file].sig [advisory_file]\n\nopenssl dgst -sha256 -verify [pubkey_file] -signature [ifix_file].sig [ifix_file]\n\n \n\nPublished advisory OpenSSL signature file location:\n\n https://aix.software.ibm.com/aix/efixes/security/kerberos_advisory.asc.sig"}],"source":{"discovery":"UNKNOWN"},"title":"IBM AIX privilege escalation","workarounds":[{"lang":"en","supportingMedia":[{"base64":false,"type":"text/html","value":"

If possible, it is recommended that a mksysb backup of the system be created. Verify it is both bootable and readable before proceeding.

 

To preview a fix installation:

installp -a -d fix_name -p all # where fix_name is the name of the

                                            # fix package being previewed.

 

To install a fix package:

installp -a -d fix_name -X all # where fix_name is the name of the

                                            # fix package being installed.

 

Interim fixes have had limited functional and regression testing but not the full regression testing that takes place for Service Packs; however, IBM does fully support them.

 

Interim fix management documentation can be found at:

https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/managing-interim-fixes-aix

 

To preview an interim fix installation:

emgr -e ipkg_name -p         # where ipkg_name is the name of the

                                        # interim fix package being previewed.

 

To install an interim fix package:

emgr -e ipkg_name -X         # where ipkg_name is the name of the

                                        # interim fix package being installed.

\n\n
"}],"value":"If possible, it is recommended that a mksysb backup of the system be created. Verify it is both bootable and readable before proceeding.\n\n \n\nTo preview a fix installation:\n\ninstallp -a -d fix_name -p all # where fix_name is the name of the\n\n                                            # fix package being previewed.\n\n \n\nTo install a fix package:\n\ninstallp -a -d fix_name -X all # where fix_name is the name of the\n\n                                            # fix package being installed.\n\n \n\nInterim fixes have had limited functional and regression testing but not the full regression testing that takes place for Service Packs; however, IBM does fully support them.\n\n \n\nInterim fix management documentation can be found at:\n\n https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/managing-interim-fixes-aix \n\n \n\nTo preview an interim fix installation:\n\nemgr -e ipkg_name -p         # where ipkg_name is the name of the\n\n                                        # interim fix package being previewed.\n\n \n\nTo install an interim fix package:\n\nemgr -e ipkg_name -X         # where ipkg_name is the name of the\n\n                                        # interim fix package being installed."}],"x_generator":{"engine":"Vulnogram 0.2.0"}},"adp":[{"metrics":[{"other":{"type":"ssvc","content":{"id":"CVE-2025-36244","role":"CISA Coordinator","options":[{"Exploitation":"none"},{"Automatable":"no"},{"Technical Impact":"total"}],"version":"2.0.3","timestamp":"2025-09-17T03:55:49.092212Z"}}}],"title":"CISA ADP Vulnrichment","providerMetadata":{"orgId":"134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0","shortName":"CISA-ADP","dateUpdated":"2026-02-26T17:48:29.890Z"}}]}}