IBM Patches Critical Authentication Bypass Flaw in API Connect (CVE-2025-13915)
IBM has released security updates to address a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in its API Connect platform, tracked as CVE-2025-13915, which carries a CVSS score of 9.8. The flaw allows remote attackers to circumvent authentication controls, granting unauthorized access to affected applications without requiring user interaction or prior privileges.
The vulnerability, classified under CWE-305 (Authentication Bypass by Primary Weakness), stems from a failure in enforcing authentication checks under specific conditions. Exploitation could lead to a full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability within the affected IBM API Connect environment, exposing sensitive data and backend services.
Affected Versions
The flaw impacts the following IBM API Connect releases:
- V10.0.8.0 through V10.0.8.5
- V10.0.11.0
IBM has released interim fixes (iFixes) for all affected versions and urges immediate patching. For organizations unable to apply updates immediately, a temporary mitigation involves disabling self-service sign-up on the Developer Portal, though this does not fully resolve the risk.
Impact and Response
Given the severity of the flaw, security teams are advised to prioritize remediation and review API access logs for signs of unauthorized activity. The vulnerability was published in the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) on December 26, 2025, with IBM listed as the source.
IBM API Connect is widely used in enterprise environments for API management, developer access control, and secure integrations, making this flaw particularly high-risk for connected systems. Organizations running affected versions should assess their deployments and apply fixes without delay.
Source: https://thecyberexpress.com/ibm-api-connect-security-vulnerability/
IBM cybersecurity rating report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/ibm
"id": "IBM1767621759",
"linkid": "ibm",
"type": "Vulnerability",
"date": "12/2025",
"severity": "85",
"impact": "4",
"explanation": "Attack with significant impact with customers data leaks"{'affected_entities': [{'industry': 'Technology/Enterprise Software',
'name': 'IBM API Connect',
'type': 'Software Platform'}],
'attack_vector': 'Network',
'data_breach': {'sensitivity_of_data': 'Sensitive data'},
'date_publicly_disclosed': '2025-12-26',
'description': 'IBM has released security updates to address a critical IBM '
'API Connect vulnerability that could allow remote attackers '
'to bypass authentication controls and gain unauthorized '
'access to affected applications. The flaw, tracked as '
'CVE-2025-13915, carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8, placing it '
'among the most severe vulnerabilities disclosed in recent '
'months. The vulnerability stems from an authentication bypass '
'weakness that could be exploited remotely without any user '
'interaction or prior privileges.',
'impact': {'data_compromised': 'Sensitive data and backend services managed '
'through the platform',
'operational_impact': 'Complete compromise of confidentiality, '
'integrity, and availability within the '
'affected environment',
'systems_affected': 'IBM API Connect applications'},
'post_incident_analysis': {'corrective_actions': 'Apply interim fixes '
'(iFixes) and upgrade to '
'remediated versions',
'root_causes': 'Failure in enforcing '
'authentication checks under '
'certain conditions'},
'recommendations': 'Assess deployments immediately, apply recommended fixes, '
'and prioritize remediation due to critical severity '
'rating.',
'references': [{'date_accessed': '2025-12-31',
'source': 'National Vulnerability Database (NVD)'},
{'source': 'IBM Security Bulletin'}],
'response': {'containment_measures': 'Disable self-service sign-up on the '
'Developer Portal (temporary mitigation)',
'enhanced_monitoring': 'Review API access logs for signs of '
'unauthorized activity',
'remediation_measures': 'Apply interim fixes (iFixes) for '
'affected versions (10.0.8.0 through '
'10.0.8.5 and 10.0.11.0)'},
'title': 'IBM API Connect Authentication Bypass Vulnerability '
'(CVE-2025-13915)',
'type': 'Authentication Bypass',
'vulnerability_exploited': 'CVE-2025-13915 (CWE-305: Authentication Bypass by '
'Primary Weakness)'}