IBM QRadar SIEM Vulnerability Allows Attackers to Perform Unauthorized Actions

A newly disclosed vulnerability in IBM QRadar Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) enables local privileged users to manipulate critical configuration files, potentially undermining the security posture of affected deployments.

Tracked as CVE-2025-0164, the flaw stems from improper permission assignment and carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 2.3.

IBM has released Interim Fix 02 for QRadar 7.5.0 UP13 and urges customers to apply the update without delay.

Improper Permission Assignment Exposes Configuration Files

IBM QRadar SIEM, a leading platform for centralized log management and threat detection, inadvertently permitted local privileged users to perform unauthorized operations on configuration files.

The vulnerability, classified under CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource, arises when system files controlling detection rules, policies, or audit settings are not adequately locked down.

An attacker with local elevated privileges—such as a compromised administrative account or an insider with QRadar access—could overwrite or tamper with these files, altering system behavior, bypassing detection logic, or disabling critical security controls.

While the flaw does not enable remote code execution or privilege escalation, it undermines the intended defense-in-depth model by granting undue control over sensitive system assets.

Affected Versions and Available Fix

QRadar SIEM versions from 7.5 through 7.5.0 UP13 IF01 are impacted by CVE-2025-0164.

In response, IBM has issued Interim Fix 02 for the 7.5.0 UP13 release, identified as QRadar 7.5.0 UP13 IF02.

CVE ID	Description	CVSS Score
CVE-2025-0164	Local privileged user may perform unauthorized actions on configuration files due to improper permission assignment.	2.3

Administrators can obtain the update via IBM’s Fix Central portal to replace vulnerable configuration files with properly permissioned counterparts.

No alternative workarounds or mitigations have been documented, underscoring the importance of applying the official fix.

Upon installation, system integrity checks should be conducted to validate that configuration files are correctly restricted to privileged system processes and administrators only.

Failure to deploy the update leaves environments open to stealthy manipulation of detection rules and audit configurations.

Proactive Measures and Notifications

Beyond patch deployment, organizations relying on QRadar SIEM should audit local user accounts to ensure that only authorized personnel possess elevated privileges on the SIEM host.

Implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative consoles and enforcing strict role-based access controls can minimize the risk of credential compromise.

Regular file integrity monitoring and configuration drift detection will help identify unauthorized edits, while segregating SIEM management hosts from general-purpose servers reduces the attack surface.

IBM encourages customers to subscribe to My Notifications for real-time alerts on Security Bulletins and software updates.

Additional resources include the IBM Secure Engineering Web Portal and the IBM Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) blog, which provide in-depth guidance and announcements regarding product security.

For further technical details, refer to the Complete CVSS v3 Guide and the First.org online CVSS calculator.

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