CVE-2025-0915 is a vulnerability identified in IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows versions 11.5.0 through 11.5.9 and 12.1.0 through 12.1.1. The issue stems from improper management of allocated memory resources under certain configurations, specifically an allocation of resources without proper limits or throttling (CWE-770). An authenticated user can exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial of service (DoS) by exhausting memory resources, as the system fails to sufficiently release allocated memory. This leads to resource depletion, potentially causing the database server to become unresponsive or crash, thereby impacting availability. The vulnerability requires low privileges (authenticated user) but no user interaction beyond authentication. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.3 (medium severity), with vector AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H, indicating network attack vector, high attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, no confidentiality or integrity impact, but high impact on availability. No known exploits are reported in the wild yet, and no patches are currently linked, suggesting that remediation may require vendor updates or configuration changes once available. The vulnerability affects IBM Db2, a widely used enterprise database system, which is critical for data storage and transaction processing in many organizations.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for those relying on IBM Db2 for critical business applications, financial systems, or government data management. A successful exploitation could lead to denial of service, causing downtime, disruption of business operations, and potential financial losses. The lack of confidentiality and integrity impact reduces risks related to data breaches or tampering, but availability is crucial for database systems. Industries such as banking, telecommunications, public sector, and large enterprises that depend on continuous database availability are particularly at risk. Additionally, the requirement for authenticated access means insider threats or compromised credentials could be leveraged to trigger the DoS condition. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is not trivial, it is not among the most critical, but still warrants prompt attention to avoid service interruptions.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigation measures: 1) Review and harden authentication mechanisms to reduce the risk of unauthorized access, including enforcing strong password policies, multi-factor authentication, and monitoring for suspicious login activities. 2) Audit and adjust IBM Db2 configurations to identify and modify settings that could lead to excessive resource allocation or insufficient release, applying any vendor guidance or best practices for resource management. 3) Monitor system resource usage closely, setting up alerts for abnormal memory consumption patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. 4) Isolate database servers within secure network segments to limit exposure to potential attackers. 5) Prepare incident response plans specifically for database availability issues, including rapid restart and failover procedures. 6) Stay updated with IBM security advisories and apply patches promptly once available. 7) Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing focused on resource exhaustion scenarios to proactively identify weaknesses.