CVE-2025-27903: IBM Db2 Recovery Expert Info Disclosure

CVE-2025-27903 Overview

CVE-2025-27903 is a cleartext transmission vulnerability affecting IBM DB2 Recovery Expert for Linux, UNIX and Windows (LUW) version 5.5 through Interim Fix 002. The vulnerability allows an attacker to intercept sensitive information by exploiting the application's use of unencrypted communication channels. This weakness (CWE-319: Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information) enables man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks where adversaries positioned on the network path can capture credentials, configuration data, or other confidential information transmitted between the application and its components.

Critical Impact

Attackers can intercept sensitive database recovery information and credentials through man-in-the-middle attacks due to cleartext transmission, potentially compromising database integrity and confidentiality.

Affected Products

• IBM DB2 Recovery Expert for Linux, UNIX and Windows 5.5
• IBM DB2 Recovery Expert for LUW 5.5 Interim Fix 002

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-17 - CVE CVE-2025-27903 published to NVD
• 2026-02-18 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-27903

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from IBM DB2 Recovery Expert's failure to implement proper encryption for data transmission channels. The application transmits sensitive information in cleartext, making it vulnerable to passive network eavesdropping and active man-in-the-middle attacks. The vulnerability requires network access and high attack complexity to exploit, as the attacker must be positioned to intercept network traffic between the affected components. While no privileges or user interaction are required, successful exploitation results in high confidentiality impact, potentially exposing database credentials, recovery configurations, and sensitive operational data.

Root Cause

The root cause is classified under CWE-319 (Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information). IBM DB2 Recovery Expert for LUW 5.5 fails to encrypt sensitive data during transmission, leaving communication channels unprotected. This design flaw allows network-level attackers to capture data packets containing potentially sensitive information without needing to break any cryptographic protections.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, requiring the attacker to position themselves on the network path between the client and server components of IBM DB2 Recovery Expert. Common attack scenarios include:

The attacker performs ARP spoofing or DNS poisoning to redirect traffic through their controlled system. Once positioned as a man-in-the-middle, all cleartext communications can be captured and analyzed. The attacker can passively collect credentials, configuration data, and recovery information being transmitted by the application. In active attack scenarios, the adversary may also modify data in transit, potentially corrupting recovery operations or injecting malicious commands.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-27903

Indicators of Compromise

• Unencrypted network traffic on ports used by IBM DB2 Recovery Expert components
• Unusual ARP cache entries indicating potential ARP spoofing attempts
• Unexpected network latency or routing changes suggesting MITM positioning
• Unauthorized access to database recovery configurations or credentials

Detection Strategies

• Monitor network traffic for unencrypted IBM DB2 Recovery Expert communications using packet inspection tools
• Implement network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) to identify potential MITM attack patterns
• Review authentication logs for anomalous access patterns that may indicate credential theft
• Deploy network segmentation monitoring to detect unauthorized traffic flows

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for IBM DB2 Recovery Expert operations and authentication events
• Implement network traffic analysis to identify cleartext protocol usage in sensitive environments
• Configure alerts for failed authentication attempts following potential credential exposure
• Monitor for unusual database recovery operations that may indicate compromised credentials

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-27903

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the latest security updates from IBM for DB2 Recovery Expert for LUW
• Implement network segmentation to isolate IBM DB2 Recovery Expert traffic from untrusted network segments
• Enable TLS/SSL encryption for all communications where configuration options allow
• Review and rotate credentials that may have been transmitted in cleartext

Patch Information

IBM has released a security advisory addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should apply the recommended updates as specified in the IBM Support Page. Contact IBM support for the latest interim fix or patch version that addresses CVE-2025-27903.

Workarounds

• Deploy VPN or encrypted tunnels for all network communications involving IBM DB2 Recovery Expert
• Implement strict network access controls to limit exposure of affected systems to trusted networks only
• Use network monitoring tools to detect and alert on any cleartext transmission of sensitive data
• Consider deploying a TLS-terminating proxy in front of affected components where direct patching is not immediately possible

# Network segmentation example - restrict access to DB2 Recovery Expert
# Limit access to trusted management networks only
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 50000 -s 10.0.0.0/8 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 50000 -j DROP