CVE-2025-25020 is a vulnerability identified in IBM QRadar Suite Software versions 1.10.12.0 through 1.11.2.0, as well as IBM Cloud Pak for Security versions 1.10.0.0 through 1.10.11.0. The issue stems from improper validation of API input data types, classified under CWE-1287 (Improper Validation of Specified Type of Input). Specifically, an authenticated user can exploit this flaw by submitting crafted API requests with invalid or unexpected data types, which the software fails to properly validate. This improper validation can lead to a denial of service (DoS) condition, where the affected system becomes unavailable or unresponsive. The vulnerability requires the attacker to have some level of authentication (privileged or non-privileged user credentials) but does not require user interaction beyond the API request. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level, with the vector indicating network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), privileges required (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), no impact on confidentiality or integrity (C:N/I:N), but high impact on availability (A:H). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches or mitigation links are provided at this time. The vulnerability affects critical security monitoring and incident response tools, which are integral to enterprise security operations.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the availability of their security monitoring infrastructure. IBM QRadar Suite and IBM Cloud Pak for Security are widely used in Europe by enterprises, government agencies, and critical infrastructure operators for threat detection, log management, and security orchestration. A successful denial of service attack could disrupt security operations centers (SOCs), delay incident detection and response, and increase the risk of undetected cyberattacks. This is particularly impactful for sectors with stringent regulatory requirements such as finance, healthcare, and energy, where continuous monitoring is critical for compliance with GDPR, NIS Directive, and other regulations. The requirement for authenticated access limits the attack surface to insiders or compromised accounts, but insider threats or lateral movement by attackers could exploit this vulnerability to degrade security posture. The lack of confidentiality or integrity impact means data theft or manipulation is not directly enabled by this flaw, but the availability impact alone can have cascading effects on organizational security and operational continuity.

European organizations should prioritize the following mitigation steps: 1) Immediately review and restrict access controls to the IBM QRadar and Cloud Pak for Security APIs, ensuring that only necessary users and services have authenticated access. Implement strict role-based access control (RBAC) and monitor for unusual API usage patterns. 2) Apply any available vendor updates or patches as soon as IBM releases them; in the absence of patches, consider temporary workarounds such as input validation proxies or API gateways that enforce strict data type validation before requests reach the vulnerable software. 3) Enhance internal monitoring to detect signs of attempted exploitation, such as anomalous API requests or service disruptions. 4) Conduct regular audits of user accounts and credentials to minimize the risk of compromised or malicious insiders exploiting the vulnerability. 5) Develop and test incident response plans that include procedures for rapid recovery from potential denial of service events affecting security infrastructure. 6) Engage with IBM support and subscribe to their security advisories to receive timely updates on patches or mitigation guidance.