CVE Alert: CVE-2025-36186 – IBM – Db2

Risk verdict

High risk of local privilege escalation on vulnerable Db2 12.1.x installations; patching is urgent, though there is no confirmed active exploitation at present.

Why this matters

Root access on the host could allow data exfiltration, service disruption, and persistent control over the DB2 environment. An attacker gaining root could disable logging, tamper data, or pivot to adjacent systems in the data layer.

Most likely attack path

Exploitation requires local access with no user interaction and no pre-existing privileges. An attacker with a foothold on the host could trigger code execution within the Db2 context to escalate to root, then abuse elevated rights to access or alter data and move laterally within the host’s ANR/DB2 stack.

Who is most exposed

Enterprise deployments of IBM Db2 on Linux/UNIX/Windows, especially where Db2 Connect Server is present, exposed to insiders or compromised hosts. Environments with broad local access to DB2 components or lax privilege controls are at higher risk.

Detection ideas

• Look for unexpected root-level processes originating from Db2 components.
• Alerts on privilege-escalation attempts tied to Db2 paths or services.
• File integrity or permission changes in Db2 installation directories.
• Unusual login activity correlating with Db2 service start/stop events.
• Anomalous new binaries or scripts executed from Db2-related directories.

Mitigation and prioritisation

• Patch to the affected releases (12.1.2/12.1.3) using the interim fixes from Fix Central; apply to all affected hosts.
• Enforce strict local access controls to Db2 hosts; restrict admin/root actions and use MFA where feasible.
• Run as least-privilege for Db2 processes; review and harden privilege configurations.
• Implement robust monitoring for privilege escalations and Db2 process integrity; enable comprehensive logging.
• Schedule patching in a controlled maintenance window; test in a staging environment before wide deployment.