CVE-2024-35136 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-943, indicating improper neutralization of special elements in data query logic within IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows, including DB2 Connect Server federated server versions 10.5, 11.1, and 11.5. The flaw allows an attacker to craft a specially designed query that, when processed under certain non-default configurations, triggers a denial of service condition. This occurs because the Db2 federated server fails to properly sanitize or handle special elements in the query logic, leading to resource exhaustion or server instability. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network with low privileges and does not require user interaction, but it has a high attack complexity, meaning exploitation requires specific conditions or knowledge. The impact is limited to availability, with no direct compromise of data confidentiality or integrity. IBM has assigned a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.3, reflecting a medium severity level. No patches or exploits have been publicly disclosed at the time of publication, but the vulnerability is officially recognized and documented by IBM X-Force (ID 291307).

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-35136 is the potential disruption of database services due to denial of service attacks. This can lead to downtime of critical applications relying on IBM Db2 federated servers, affecting business continuity, operational efficiency, and potentially causing financial losses. Industries such as finance, telecommunications, manufacturing, and public sector entities that depend heavily on IBM Db2 for data management and integration may experience service interruptions. Since the vulnerability affects availability only, data breaches or unauthorized data modifications are not expected. However, prolonged or repeated DoS conditions could indirectly impact data processing and service-level agreements. The requirement for non-default configurations means that not all deployments are vulnerable, but organizations using advanced federated server features should assess their exposure carefully.

Organizations should first identify if they are running IBM Db2 versions 10.5, 11.1, or 11.5 with federated server configurations, especially non-default settings that might expose this vulnerability. Although no official patches are currently listed, monitoring IBM security advisories for updates or patches is critical. In the interim, administrators should review and restrict network access to Db2 federated servers, implementing strict firewall rules and network segmentation to limit exposure. Applying the principle of least privilege to database users can reduce the risk of exploitation. Additionally, auditing and monitoring query patterns for unusual or malformed queries can help detect potential exploitation attempts early. Where possible, disabling or limiting federated server features that are not essential may reduce the attack surface. Regular backups and tested recovery procedures will mitigate the impact of potential DoS incidents.