CVE-2025-0966 is a high-severity SQL injection vulnerability identified in IBM InfoSphere Information Server version 11.7. This vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands (CWE-89), allowing a remote attacker with some level of privileges (PR:L - privileges required) to craft malicious SQL statements that can be executed by the backend database. The vulnerability does not require user interaction (UI:N) and can be exploited over the network (AV:N) with low attack complexity (AC:L). Successful exploitation could enable the attacker to view, add, modify, or delete sensitive data stored within the backend database of the InfoSphere Information Server. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.6 reflects the significant confidentiality impact (C:H), moderate integrity impact (I:L), and low availability impact (A:L). The vulnerability affects a widely used enterprise data integration and governance platform, which is critical for managing and processing large volumes of organizational data. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability’s characteristics make it a serious risk if left unpatched. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting underscores the urgency for organizations to implement compensating controls and monitor for suspicious activity.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability could be substantial. IBM InfoSphere Information Server is commonly used in sectors such as finance, telecommunications, manufacturing, and government agencies across Europe for data integration, quality, and governance. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive personal data, intellectual property, or critical business information, potentially violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. The ability to modify or delete data could disrupt business operations, corrupt data analytics, and damage trust in data-driven decision-making. Additionally, the breach of confidentiality could result in regulatory fines, reputational damage, and legal liabilities. Given the cross-border nature of many European enterprises and their reliance on centralized data platforms, the vulnerability could have cascading effects across subsidiaries and partners within the EU and EFTA countries.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting network access to the IBM InfoSphere Information Server to trusted internal IP ranges and implementing strict firewall rules to limit exposure. 2. Enforce the principle of least privilege for all accounts with access to the InfoSphere environment, ensuring that only necessary privileges are granted to reduce the risk of exploitation. 3. Implement robust input validation and parameterized queries or stored procedures where possible to prevent injection attacks at the application layer. 4. Enable detailed logging and monitoring of database queries and application logs to detect anomalous or suspicious SQL activity indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Regularly audit and review database permissions and configurations to identify and remediate overly permissive settings. 6. Engage with IBM support channels to obtain patches or security advisories as they become available and plan for timely deployment. 7. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with SQL injection detection capabilities as an additional layer of defense. 8. Conduct security awareness training for administrators and developers on secure coding and configuration practices related to SQL injection vulnerabilities.