CVE-2025-36245 is an OS command injection vulnerability classified under CWE-78 affecting IBM InfoSphere Information Server versions 11.7.0.0 through 11.7.1.6. The flaw arises from improper neutralization of special elements in user-supplied input, allowing an authenticated user to inject and execute arbitrary operating system commands with elevated privileges. The vulnerability requires the attacker to have valid credentials (low privilege) but does not require user interaction, making exploitation feasible in environments where user accounts are compromised or misused. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with network attack vector and low attack complexity. This vulnerability can lead to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of critical data integration services. IBM InfoSphere Information Server is widely used for enterprise data integration, ETL processes, and data governance, making this vulnerability particularly critical in environments handling sensitive or regulated data. No public exploits are currently known, but the potential for damage is significant given the elevated privileges gained upon exploitation. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate risk mitigation steps.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-36245 is substantial due to the widespread use of IBM InfoSphere in sectors such as finance, telecommunications, manufacturing, and government. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, manipulation or destruction of critical data workflows, and potential disruption of business operations. Given the elevated privileges gained, attackers could deploy ransomware, steal intellectual property, or pivot to other internal systems. Compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations could be jeopardized, leading to legal and financial penalties. The vulnerability's network accessibility and low complexity increase the risk of lateral movement within corporate networks. Organizations relying on InfoSphere for data integration and analytics may face operational downtime and loss of trust from partners and customers if exploited.

1. Monitor IBM's security advisories closely and apply official patches or updates as soon as they become available. 2. Until patches are released, restrict access to IBM InfoSphere Information Server to trusted and essential personnel only, enforcing the principle of least privilege for authenticated users. 3. Implement strict input validation and sanitization controls on all user inputs interacting with the InfoSphere server to prevent injection of malicious commands. 4. Employ network segmentation and firewall rules to limit exposure of the InfoSphere server to only necessary internal networks. 5. Enable detailed logging and continuous monitoring of user activities and command executions within the InfoSphere environment to detect anomalous behavior. 6. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on authentication mechanisms and input handling in InfoSphere deployments. 7. Educate administrators and users about the risks of credential compromise and enforce strong authentication policies, including multi-factor authentication where possible.