CVE-2025-36220: IBM Cloud Pak for Data SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2025-36220 Overview

CVE-2025-36220 is a SQL injection vulnerability affecting IBM Cloud Pak for Data System - Cyclops version 11.3.0.2 through Interim Fix 002. The flaw allows authenticated remote attackers to inject specially crafted SQL statements into the application. Successful exploitation enables attackers to view, add, modify, or delete information stored in the back-end database.

The vulnerability is categorized under [CWE-89] (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command). IBM has published a support advisory addressing the issue.

Critical Impact
Authenticated remote attackers can manipulate back-end database contents through crafted SQL statements, compromising data integrity in IBM Cloud Pak for Data System deployments.

Affected Products

IBM Cloud Pak for Data System - Cyclops 11.3.0.2
IBM Cloud Pak for Data System - Cyclops 11.3.0.2 Interim Fix 001
IBM Cloud Pak for Data System - Cyclops 11.3.0.2 Interim Fix 002

Discovery Timeline

2026-05-26 - CVE-2025-36220 published to NVD
2026-05-26 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-36220

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the SQL query handling logic of IBM Cloud Pak for Data System - Cyclops. User-supplied input is incorporated into SQL statements without sufficient sanitization or parameterization. An authenticated attacker with low-level privileges can supply specially crafted input that alters the structure of database queries.

The impact is limited to integrity of database records, with no direct effect on confidentiality or availability per the published CVSS vector. The Exploit Prediction Scoring System rates this issue at a low likelihood of near-term exploitation. Refer to the IBM Support Page for vendor-specific technical details.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special characters in SQL commands, classified under [CWE-89]. Application code constructs SQL statements through string concatenation or unsafe templating rather than using prepared statements with bound parameters. This design permits attacker-controlled input to break out of the intended query context.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires network access to the Cloud Pak for Data System interface and valid authenticated credentials. The attacker submits malicious SQL payloads through input fields or API parameters that feed into vulnerable database queries. No user interaction is required beyond the attacker's own authenticated session.

No public proof-of-concept exploit code is currently available. The vulnerability mechanism follows standard SQL injection patterns where attacker input modifies query semantics to read or alter unauthorized records.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-36220

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected SQL syntax errors in IBM Cloud Pak for Data System application logs.
Database queries containing union, comment, or boolean payloads originating from authenticated user sessions.
Anomalous read or write operations against back-end database tables by low-privileged accounts.

Detection Strategies

Inspect application and database logs for SQL keywords such as UNION SELECT, OR 1=1, or stacked queries in user input fields.
Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with signatures tuned to detect SQL injection patterns against Cloud Pak for Data System endpoints.
Correlate authenticated user activity with abnormal database query volume or schema enumeration attempts.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable verbose database query logging on the Cyclops back-end and forward events to a centralized SIEM for analysis.
Monitor failed and successful authentication events alongside subsequent database query patterns for the same session.
Establish baselines for normal API request payloads and alert on deviations involving SQL metacharacters.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-36220

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the fix referenced in the IBM Support Page for Cloud Pak for Data System - Cyclops 11.3.0.2.
Restrict network access to the Cloud Pak for Data System administrative interfaces to trusted management networks.
Audit authenticated user accounts and revoke unused or excessive privileges to reduce the attack surface.

Patch Information

IBM has published remediation guidance for CVE-2025-36220 affecting Cloud Pak for Data System - Cyclops 11.3.0.2 through Interim Fix 002. Administrators should consult the IBM Support Page for the latest interim fix or upgrade path applicable to their deployment.

Workarounds

Place a WAF in front of the Cloud Pak for Data System interface and enable SQL injection filtering rules.
Limit authenticated access to the affected components to administrators only until the patch is applied.
Review and tighten input validation at any integration points that pass user-controlled data into the platform.

bash

# Configuration example - basic WAF rule pattern for SQL injection inspection
# (Adapt to your WAF vendor's syntax)
SecRule ARGS "@rx (?i)(union(.*?)select|or\s+1=1|;--|/\*.*\*/)" \
    "id:1001001,phase:2,deny,status:403,\
     msg:'Potential SQL Injection targeting IBM Cloud Pak for Data System'"