CVE-2025-25020: IBM Cloud Pak for Security DOS Vulnerability

CVE-2025-25020 Overview

CVE-2025-25020 is a denial of service vulnerability affecting IBM QRadar Suite Software and IBM Cloud Pak for Security. The flaw stems from improper validation of API data input [CWE-1287], allowing an authenticated remote attacker to disrupt service availability. IBM QRadar Suite Software versions 1.10.12.0 through 1.11.2.0 and IBM Cloud Pak for Security versions 1.10.0.0 through 1.10.11.0 are affected. Exploitation requires low privileges and no user interaction, and it targets availability only without impacting confidentiality or integrity.

Critical Impact
An authenticated attacker can trigger a denial of service condition against IBM QRadar Suite and Cloud Pak for Security by sending malformed API input, disrupting security operations workflows.

Affected Products

IBM QRadar Suite Software 1.10.12.0 through 1.11.2.0
IBM Cloud Pak for Security 1.10.0.0 through 1.10.11.0
IBM security operations deployments relying on the affected QRadar Suite API surface

Discovery Timeline

2025-06-03 - CVE-2025-25020 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-25020

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2025-25020 is an improper input validation flaw in the API layer of IBM QRadar Suite Software and IBM Cloud Pak for Security. The classification maps to [CWE-1287] (Improper Validation of Specified Type of Input), indicating the API accepts input that does not conform to the expected type or structure. When the affected API endpoints process this malformed input, the resulting error path leads to a denial of service condition rather than a graceful rejection.

An authenticated user with low privileges can send crafted API requests to trigger the condition. Because QRadar Suite and Cloud Pak for Security are used as central security operations platforms, disruption of these services degrades an organization's ability to identify and respond to concurrent threats. The vulnerability does not disclose data or allow modification of stored records.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient validation of the type, format, or structure of data submitted to affected API endpoints. Input that deviates from the expected schema is not rejected early in the request lifecycle. Downstream processing of the unvalidated data reaches a code path that consumes excessive resources or aborts the handling service.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires authentication. An attacker with valid low-privilege credentials submits crafted requests to a vulnerable API endpoint over the network. No user interaction is required, and exploit complexity is low. The impact is limited to availability, with confidentiality and integrity unaffected. No public exploit code is available, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. The EPSS probability is 0.424%.

No verified public exploit code is available. Refer to the IBM Support Page for vendor-provided technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-25020

Indicators of Compromise

Repeated malformed API requests to QRadar Suite or Cloud Pak for Security endpoints originating from authenticated accounts
Unexpected restarts, crashes, or unresponsiveness of QRadar Suite API services
Elevated error rates and HTTP 5xx responses on QRadar Suite management APIs

Detection Strategies

Correlate authentication events with API request patterns to identify low-privilege accounts issuing anomalous payloads
Baseline normal API request bodies and alert on requests with unexpected data types or schema violations
Monitor QRadar Suite and Cloud Pak for Security application logs for input validation errors and service-restart events

Monitoring Recommendations

Ingest QRadar Suite and Cloud Pak for Security audit and API logs into a centralized analytics platform for anomaly detection
Track service availability metrics for the QRadar Suite API tier and alert on availability degradation
Review authenticated user activity for accounts issuing bursts of malformed requests targeting the same endpoint

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-25020

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the fixed versions published by IBM as referenced in the IBM Support Page
Inventory all IBM QRadar Suite Software and Cloud Pak for Security deployments to confirm affected versions
Restrict API access to trusted administrative networks and enforce least privilege on service accounts

Patch Information

IBM has released updates addressing CVE-2025-25020. Consult the IBM Support Page for the specific fixed versions and upgrade guidance for QRadar Suite Software and Cloud Pak for Security.

Workarounds

Limit API access to a small set of authorized administrative accounts until patching is complete
Deploy a web application firewall or API gateway to enforce schema validation on requests reaching the QRadar Suite API
Increase monitoring of authenticated API activity and configure alerts for service restarts on affected components

bash

# Example: restrict API access at the network layer to trusted admin subnets
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 10.10.20.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP