The classical Cox–Ingersoll–Ross (CIR) bond-pricing model is based on the evolution space-time dependent partial differential equation (PDE) which represents the standard European interest rate derivatives. In general, such class of evolution partial differential equations (PDEs) has generally been resolved by classical methods of PDEs and by ansatz-based techniques which have been previously applied in a similar context. The author here shows the application of an invariant approach, a systematic method based on deductive group-theoretical analysis. The invariant technique reduces the scalar linear space-time dependent parabolic PDE to one of the four classical Lie canonical forms. This method leads us to exactly solve the scalar linear space-time dependent parabolic PDE representing the CIR model. It was found that CIR PDE is transformed into the first canonical form, which is the heat equation. Under the proper choice of emerging parameters of the model, the CIR equation is also reduced to the second Lie canonical form. The equivalence transformations which map the CIR PDE into the different canonical forms are deduced. With the use of these equivalence transformations, the invariant solutions of the underlying model are found by using some well-known results of the heat equation and the second Lie canonical form. Furthermore, the Cauchy initial-value model of the CIR problem along with the terminal condition is discussed and closed-form solutions are deduced. Finally, the conservation laws associated with the CIR equation are derived by using the general conservation theorem.