CVE-2025-33096 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-674 (Uncontrolled Recursion) affecting IBM Engineering Requirements Management Doors Next versions 7.0.2, 7.0.3, and 7.1. The flaw arises when an authenticated user uploads specially crafted files that trigger uncontrolled recursion within the application’s processing logic. This recursive behavior can exhaust system resources such as memory or CPU, leading to a denial of service (DoS) condition where the application becomes unresponsive or crashes. The vulnerability does not affect confidentiality or integrity but impacts availability. 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), meaning the impact is confined to the vulnerable component. No patches are currently listed, and no exploits have been observed in the wild, indicating the vulnerability is newly disclosed. IBM Doors Next is a requirements management tool used in software and systems engineering to capture, trace, analyze, and manage requirements. The vulnerability could disrupt development workflows and project timelines if exploited.

For European organizations, the primary impact is operational disruption due to denial of service in IBM Doors Next environments. This can delay critical engineering and development processes, especially in sectors like automotive, aerospace, defense, and telecommunications where requirements management is essential. Availability loss could cascade into project delays, increased costs, and reduced productivity. Since the vulnerability requires authenticated access, insider threats or compromised credentials pose a risk. The absence of confidentiality or integrity impact reduces the risk of data breaches but does not eliminate the operational risk. Organizations relying heavily on IBM Doors Next for compliance or safety-critical projects may face regulatory or contractual consequences if availability is compromised. The lack of known exploits provides a window for proactive mitigation before widespread attacks occur.

1. Monitor IBM’s official channels for patches addressing CVE-2025-33096 and apply them promptly once released. 2. Restrict file upload permissions to only trusted and necessary users to minimize exposure. 3. Implement strict authentication and access controls, including multi-factor authentication, to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 4. Employ application-layer monitoring to detect abnormal recursion or resource consumption patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Conduct regular security audits and code reviews focusing on file handling and recursion logic in custom integrations. 6. Use network segmentation to isolate IBM Doors Next servers from broader enterprise networks, limiting potential impact. 7. Educate users about secure file upload practices and the importance of safeguarding credentials. 8. Prepare incident response plans to quickly address potential DoS events affecting critical engineering tools.