CVE Alert: CVE-2025-1994 – IBM – Cognos Command Center

Risk verdict

High risk: a local code-execution vulnerability in Cognos Command Center could allow a local user to run arbitrary code; there are no clear exploitation indicators at present, but remediation is urgently recommended.

Why this matters

The flaw enables full control over the hosting server if exploited, risking data exposure, integrity loss, and disruption of Cognos workflows. In enterprise deployments, an attacker with local access could install backdoors or pivot to adjacent systems within the same data centre or VLAN.

Most likely attack path

Exploitation is local with low attack complexity and low privileges required, and no user interaction. An adversary with a valid, local account on the Cognos host could trigger code execution via unsafe deserialization, potentially leading to persistence or post-exploitation activity on the server. Lateral movement would rely on subsequent local footholds rather than broad network reach.

Who is most exposed

Organisations running Cognos Command Center servers (especially in data centres or cloud-hosted IaaS with exposed admin interfaces) are at greatest risk, particularly where local access controls are weak or where service accounts have broad privileges.

Detection ideas

• Unusual process trees originating from Cognos Command Center with elevated rights
• Signs of deserialization activity or new binaries loaded into the Cognos process
• Unexpected service creation or credential misuse on the Cognos host
• Anomalous logon events or privilege-escalation attempts from local accounts
• Deserialization-related exceptions in application logs

Mitigation and prioritisation

• Apply IBM fixes: upgrade to Cognos Command Center 10.2.5 FP1 IF1 via Fix Central
• Enforce least privilege for Cognos services; restrict interactive logon and limit local accounts
• Segment networks and firewall Cognos hosts; limit access to trusted admin consoles
• Enable enhanced logging for deserialization events and monitor for unusual process activity
• Schedule patching in a test environment before production rollout; document change-control steps