CVE-2025-27903 identifies a vulnerability in IBM DB2 Recovery Expert for Linux, UNIX, and Windows (LUW) version 5.5 Interim Fix 002, where sensitive information is transmitted over cleartext communication channels. Specifically, the product fails to encrypt data exchanged during recovery operations, exposing it to interception by attackers positioned within the network path. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-319, which concerns the cleartext transmission of sensitive information. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.9 (medium severity), reflecting the network attack vector (AV:N), high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), high confidentiality impact (C:H), and no impact on integrity or availability (I:N, A:N). An attacker capable of performing man-in-the-middle attacks could capture sensitive recovery data, potentially including credentials, configuration details, or backup contents. While no public exploits are known, the vulnerability poses a risk in environments where network traffic is not adequately protected, such as untrusted or poorly segmented networks. The issue primarily affects organizations using IBM DB2 Recovery Expert for LUW in version 5.5 Interim Fix 002, and it underscores the importance of secure communication protocols in database recovery tools.

For European organizations, the confidentiality breach risk could lead to exposure of sensitive recovery data, which may include database credentials or backup information. This could facilitate further attacks such as unauthorized database access or data leakage. Although integrity and availability are not directly impacted, the loss of confidentiality can undermine trust and compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR. Organizations in sectors with stringent data privacy requirements—such as finance, healthcare, and government—may face regulatory and reputational consequences if sensitive information is intercepted. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for enterprises that perform recovery operations over untrusted networks or without additional encryption layers. Given the medium severity and absence of known exploits, the immediate operational impact may be limited but warrants proactive mitigation to prevent potential exploitation.

1. Immediately review and apply any official patches or interim fixes from IBM once available, even though none are currently linked. 2. Enforce the use of encrypted communication channels such as TLS for all data transmissions involving DB2 Recovery Expert for LUW. If the product does not natively support encryption, implement network-level encryption (e.g., VPNs or IPsec) to protect traffic. 3. Segment the network to isolate recovery operations and restrict access to trusted hosts only, minimizing exposure to potential MitM attackers. 4. Monitor network traffic for unusual patterns or unauthorized interception attempts, using intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS). 5. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on recovery infrastructure to identify and remediate weaknesses. 6. Educate administrators and operators on the risks of transmitting sensitive data in cleartext and enforce strict operational security policies. 7. Consider alternative or updated recovery solutions that guarantee encrypted communication if immediate patching is not feasible.