CVE-2025-13867 is a vulnerability affecting IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows, including Db2 Connect Server, specifically versions 11.5.0 through 11.5.9 and 12.1.0 through 12.1.3. The issue stems from improper validation of specified quantity in input, categorized under CWE-1284. This improper validation allows an authenticated user to craft specially formed queries that exploit improper neutralization of special elements in the data query logic. As a result, the attacker can cause a denial of service (DoS) condition, disrupting the availability of the database service. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.5, indicating medium severity. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), with low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), and the impact affects confidentiality (C:H) but not integrity or availability directly, though the description emphasizes DoS. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches are linked yet, suggesting the vulnerability is newly disclosed or under investigation. The vulnerability could be leveraged by insiders or compromised accounts to disrupt database operations, potentially affecting business continuity and service availability. The improper neutralization of special elements in query logic suggests that the vulnerability might be related to how input parameters or quantities are parsed or handled internally, possibly leading to resource exhaustion or query failures. Organizations using affected versions of IBM Db2 should be aware of this risk and prepare to apply patches once available.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-13867 is the potential for denial of service on critical IBM Db2 database systems. This can lead to disruption of business operations, especially in sectors relying on continuous database availability such as finance, telecommunications, manufacturing, and public services. The vulnerability requires authenticated access, so insider threats or compromised credentials pose the greatest risk. Confidentiality impact is rated high by CVSS, indicating potential exposure of sensitive data, though the description focuses on DoS; this discrepancy suggests that crafted queries might also expose data under certain conditions. Disruption of database services can affect data processing pipelines, customer-facing applications, and internal analytics, causing operational delays and financial losses. Since IBM Db2 is widely used in enterprise environments across Europe, the vulnerability could affect a broad range of organizations. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits post-disclosure. The medium severity rating reflects a balance between the need for authentication and the potential impact on confidentiality and availability. Organizations with strict regulatory requirements for data protection and uptime, such as those under GDPR and critical infrastructure regulations, must prioritize addressing this vulnerability to avoid compliance and operational risks.

1. Restrict and audit authenticated user permissions to the minimum necessary, limiting access to trusted personnel only. 2. Implement robust monitoring and anomaly detection on database query patterns to identify unusual or malformed queries that could exploit this vulnerability. 3. Enforce strong authentication mechanisms and credential management to reduce the risk of compromised accounts being used to trigger the vulnerability. 4. Prepare for patch deployment by tracking IBM security advisories closely and testing updates in controlled environments before production rollout. 5. Consider temporary compensating controls such as query input validation proxies or database firewall rules to block suspicious query patterns if feasible. 6. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on database access controls and input validation mechanisms. 7. Educate database administrators and security teams about the vulnerability details and signs of exploitation attempts. 8. Maintain up-to-date backups and disaster recovery plans to minimize operational impact in case of successful denial of service attacks. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control tightening, proactive monitoring, and preparation for patch management specific to IBM Db2 environments.