CVE-2025-36384
Ibm Db2 12.1.0 – 12.1.3
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HCVSS and EPSS are reproduced from their sources (NVD, FIRST EPSS). Risk Priority is our own derived reading, not an NVD score.
Summary
CVE-2025-36384 is a high-severity Unquoted Search Path or Element (CWE-428) vulnerability in Ibm Db2. Its CVSS base score is 8.4 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Path Interception (T1034); ranked at the 6th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified map to SA-11 (Developer Testing and Evaluation) and SA-15 (Development Process, Standards, and Tools) — see the control section below for these in your framework.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
CVE-2025-36384 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in IBM Db2 for Windows versions 12.1.0 through 12.1.3, stemming from the use of an unquoted search path element, classified under CWE-428. This flaw enables a local attacker with filesystem access to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges when Db2 invokes certain binaries. The vulnerability carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.4 (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H), indicating high severity due to its local attack vector, low complexity, and potential for complete system compromise.
A local user with filesystem access, requiring no special privileges (PR:N), can exploit this by placing a malicious executable in a directory that precedes legitimate paths in the system's search order. When Db2 launches the affected component, the attacker's binary executes instead, potentially granting high levels of confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, such as full administrative control over the system.
IBM's security advisory at https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7257678 provides details on mitigation, including recommended patches for affected Db2 versions. Security practitioners should apply these updates promptly and review systems for unquoted path configurations in Db2 installations.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2025-206560
Vulnerability Data
IBM Db2 for Windows 12.1.0 - 12.1.3 could allow a local user with filesystem access to escalate their privileges due to the use of an unquoted search path element.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Developer testing and evaluation can discover unquoted search paths through static analysis or dynamic test cases.
Documented development standards and tools can mandate proper quoting and escaping of path elements.
Engineering principles can require safe construction and quoting of search paths and command elements.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Secure SDLC practices directly prevent path-handling flaws such as unquoted elements during development.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Security testing in development can detect unquoted search-path issues before deployment.
Enforcing controlled software installation can prevent unquoted search-path elements in executables and scripts.
Secure development lifecycle practices include input validation and path handling that reduce unquoted search-path weaknesses.
Secure system architecture and engineering principles require safe path construction and quoting conventions.
Secure coding standards directly mandate quoting search paths and avoiding unsafe path construction.
Change-management processes can enforce review of path-handling changes that might introduce unquoted elements.