CVE-2025-27899 identifies a vulnerability in IBM DB2 Recovery Expert for LUW version 5.5 Interim Fix 002 where sensitive information is stored in an environment variable in cleartext, violating secure storage best practices (CWE-526). Environment variables are often accessible to processes and users on the system, and storing sensitive data such as credentials or configuration secrets in cleartext increases the risk of unauthorized disclosure. This vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction and can be exploited remotely, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). The impact is limited to confidentiality loss, with no direct effect on integrity or availability. Although no known exploits exist in the wild, the exposure of sensitive information could facilitate further attacks, such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within a compromised network. The vulnerability is specific to the IBM DB2 Recovery Expert for LUW product, a tool used for database recovery operations on Linux, Unix, and Windows platforms. The lack of a patch link suggests that remediation may require vendor intervention or configuration changes. Organizations using this product should review environment variable management and consider restricting access to these variables or employing encryption or secure vault solutions for sensitive data. The vulnerability was published in early 2026 and is tracked under CWE-526, emphasizing the risk of cleartext storage of secrets.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-27899 is the potential exposure of sensitive information that could be leveraged in subsequent attacks. While the vulnerability itself does not allow direct system compromise, the leaked data might include credentials or configuration details critical for database recovery operations, increasing the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches. Organizations in sectors with stringent data protection requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and government, could face regulatory and reputational consequences if this information is exploited. The vulnerability affects IBM DB2 Recovery Expert for LUW, a product commonly used in enterprise environments for database recovery, meaning that critical infrastructure and business continuity processes could be indirectly impacted if attackers use the disclosed information to escalate privileges or disrupt operations. The medium severity rating reflects a moderate risk that warrants timely mitigation, especially in environments where sensitive data confidentiality is paramount. Since no authentication or user interaction is required for exploitation, the attack surface is broader, increasing the urgency for European organizations to assess exposure and implement controls.

To mitigate CVE-2025-27899, European organizations should take the following specific actions: 1) Immediately audit all environment variables related to IBM DB2 Recovery Expert for LUW to identify any cleartext sensitive information and remove or secure it. 2) Restrict access permissions on environment variables and related configuration files to the minimum necessary users and processes, employing principle of least privilege. 3) Implement secure secret management solutions, such as hardware security modules (HSMs) or vault services, to store sensitive data instead of environment variables. 4) Monitor system logs and network traffic for unusual access patterns or attempts to read environment variables associated with the DB2 Recovery Expert. 5) Engage with IBM support to obtain official patches or guidance, and apply any interim fixes or configuration recommendations as soon as they become available. 6) Incorporate environment variable security checks into regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to detect similar issues proactively. 7) Educate system administrators and DevOps teams on secure handling of environment variables and secrets to prevent recurrence. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on environment variable security and operational controls specific to this product and vulnerability.