CVE-2025-36174 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting IBM Integrated Analytics System versions 1.0.0.0 through 1.0.30.0. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-434, which pertains to the unrestricted upload of files with dangerous types. Specifically, this flaw allows an authenticated user to upload files that could contain executable content or scripts. When such files are subsequently opened or accessed by another user, they may be executed, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution, privilege escalation, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability requires the attacker to have valid authentication credentials and involves some user interaction (opening the uploaded file). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.0, reflecting a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with network attack vector, low attack complexity, and privileges required. The scope is unchanged, meaning the impact is confined to the vulnerable component. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, the nature of the vulnerability makes it a significant risk, especially in environments where multiple users interact with uploaded files. The lack of available patches at the time of publication increases the urgency for mitigation.

For European organizations using IBM Integrated Analytics System, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk. The system is typically used for data analytics and business intelligence, often handling sensitive or proprietary data. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, data manipulation, or disruption of analytics services. Since the vulnerability requires authenticated access, insider threats or compromised credentials could be leveraged by attackers. The ability to execute malicious files could also facilitate lateral movement within the network, increasing the risk of broader compromise. Given the GDPR and other stringent data protection regulations in Europe, a breach resulting from this vulnerability could lead to significant legal and financial consequences. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and government, which rely heavily on analytics platforms, may face operational disruptions and reputational damage if exploited.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting file upload permissions to only trusted users and limiting the types of files that can be uploaded, implementing strict server-side validation and sanitization of uploaded files. 2. Employ application-layer controls to detect and block potentially dangerous file types or content, such as executable scripts or macros. 3. Isolate the analytics system in a segmented network zone with strict access controls to limit lateral movement if exploitation occurs. 4. Monitor logs for unusual file upload activities and access patterns, especially from authenticated users. 5. Educate users about the risks of opening files from untrusted sources within the system. 6. Apply any available vendor patches or updates as soon as they are released. 7. Consider deploying runtime application self-protection (RASP) or web application firewalls (WAF) that can detect and block malicious file uploads or execution attempts. 8. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on file upload functionalities.