CVE Alert: CVE-2025-2697 – IBM – Cognos Command Center

Risk verdict

High risk due to remote phishing via an open redirect, with no evidence of active exploitation observed.

Why this matters

An attacker can spoof the Cognos UI and redirect victims to a malicious site, facilitating credential theft or initial footholds. In organisations using Cognos Command Center, internet-facing or broadly accessible web interfaces heighten the chance of targeted phishing campaigns and potential data exposure or broader intrusions.

Most likely attack path

Attackers exploit user interaction to trigger an open redirect, directing the user from a legitimate Cognos page to an attacker-controlled site. No privileges are required beyond a targeted user visiting the link; the scope change in the CVSS suggests potential impact across related web-facing components if chained with other footholds.

Who is most exposed

Any organisation deploying IBM Cognos Command Center 10.2.4.1 or 10.2.5 with web access, especially where external users or partners can reach the interface.

Detection ideas

• Unusual or repeated 3xx redirects from Cognos endpoints to untrusted domains
• Redirect URLs with unexpected parameters or destinations
• User reports of URL mismatches or strange browser address bars after login
• Web logs showing redirect chains involving Cognos and external sites
• WAF or IDS alerts for open-redirect patterns

Mitigation and prioritisation

• Patch to IBM Cognos Command Center 10.2.5 FP1 IF1 immediately; verify patch applicability and rollback plan
• Implement input/redirect URL validation to block external or untrusted destinations
• Enable strict MFA and monitor for credential-sounding activity following redirects
• Apply network/WAF rules to detect and block open redirects; segment Cognos from sensitive data
• Change-management: test patch in staging, schedule deployment, and confirm no disruption to legitimate workflows; treat as priority 2 if KEV/EPSS indicators remain inactive