IBM

The incident involves a **403 Forbidden** error, indicating unauthorized or restricted access to an IBM web resource. While the error itself does not explicitly detail a cybersecurity breach, such errors can sometimes mask underlying security issues like misconfigured access controls, failed authentication attempts, or potential probing by malicious actors. If this error persists across critical systems or is part of a larger pattern (e.g., repeated unauthorized access attempts), it could signal a **vulnerability** in IBM’s web infrastructure—either an exposed endpoint, improper permission settings, or a precursor to a more severe attack (e.g., reconnaissance for a future breach). Without additional context, the direct impact remains unclear, but unauthorized access attempts or misconfigurations could lead to data exposure or system compromise if left unaddressed.

Source: https://www.ibm.com/think/insights/critical-wake-up-call-e-sim-vulnerability

TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/ibm

"id": "ibm4593045110625",
"linkid": "ibm",
"type": "Vulnerability",
"date": "11/2025",
"severity": "25",
"impact": "1",
"explanation": "Attack without any consequences: Attack in which data is not compromised"

{'affected_entities': [{'industry': 'Technology / IT Services',
                        'location': 'Global (HQ: Armonk, New York, USA)',
                        'name': 'IBM',
                        'size': 'Large (350,000+ employees as of latest '
                                'reports)',
                        'type': 'Corporation'}],
 'customer_advisories': 'Users were advised to check URL spelling or start '
                        'from the IBM homepage.',
 'description': 'A 403 Forbidden error was encountered when attempting to '
                'access an IBM page. Incident Number: '
                '18.ceb0f748.1762453764.1d2b5fb7. The page could not be '
                'displayed, possibly due to incorrect URL spelling, case '
                'sensitivity, or access restrictions.',
 'impact': {'brand_reputation_impact': 'Minimal (if any), as this appears to '
                                       'be an isolated access error rather '
                                       'than a breach.',
            'operational_impact': 'Possible minor disruption for users '
                                  'attempting to access the specific IBM page.',
            'systems_affected': ['Potential IBM web page or service '
                                 '(unconfirmed)']},
 'investigation_status': 'Unconfirmed (likely a routine access error rather '
                         'than a security incident).',
 'post_incident_analysis': {'root_causes': ['Possible misconfigured access '
                                            'permissions for the specific '
                                            'page.',
                                            'User error (e.g., incorrect URL '
                                            'or case sensitivity).',
                                            'Temporary access restriction '
                                            '(e.g., maintenance or IP '
                                            'blocking).']},
 'recommendations': ['Verify URL accuracy and case sensitivity when accessing '
                     'IBM pages.',
                     'Use the IBM homepage as a starting point for navigation '
                     'if access issues persist.',
                     'Monitor for patterns of unauthorized access attempts (if '
                     'this is part of a broader issue).'],
 'references': [{'source': 'IBM Error Page'}],
 'response': {'remediation_measures': 'Suggested actions provided to users: '
                                      'verify URL spelling, check case '
                                      'sensitivity, or navigate from the IBM '
                                      'homepage.'},
 'type': 'Access Denial / Unauthorized Access Attempt (403 Forbidden Error)'}