SQL Injection Flaw In IBM Watsonx Orchestrate

A newly disclosed security vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-0165, has been reported, specifically concerning the users of the IBM Watsonx Orchestrate Cartridge within the IBM Cloud Pak for Data platform. The flaw, officially acknowledged in a security bulletin released by IBM on August 31, 2025, enables blind SQL injection attacks, potentially allowing authenticated attackers to manipulate or access sensitive data stored in the back-end database. 

Nature of the CVE-2025-0165 Vulnerability 

The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, a security weakness categorized under CWE-89 (SQL Injection). Specifically, the Orchestrate Cartridge fails to properly sanitize user input before embedding it into SQL statements.  

This opens the door for maliciously crafted queries to be executed against the database, even without the attacker being able to see the results directly, hence the term “blind” SQL injection. 

This flaw affects multiple versions of the Watsonx Orchestrate Cartridge for IBM Cloud Pak for Data, specifically: 

• Versions 4.8.4 through 4.8.5 
• Versions 5.0.0 through 5.2 

Any system running these versions may be exposed, particularly if connected to external networks or accessed by untrusted users. 

Risk Assessment and Potential Impact 

IBM has assigned a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.6 to CVE-2025-0165, classifying it as a high-severity vulnerability. Though exploitation requires authentication, the potential impacts are significant: 

• Confidentiality: Attackers could retrieve sensitive data such as user credentials and proprietary information. 
• Integrity: Malicious actors may modify or inject unauthorized records into the database. 
• Availability: Attackers could delete or corrupt critical tables, resulting in the disruption of services and workflows. 

The CVSS vector string for the vulnerability is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L), indicating that attacks can be performed over the network, with low complexity, and without requiring user interaction, provided the attacker is authenticated. 

Official Statement and Advisory 

IBM’s official security bulletin describes the vulnerability as follows: 

“IBM Watsonx Orchestrate Cartridge for IBM Cloud Pak for Data is vulnerable to SQL injection. A remote attacker could send specially crafted SQL statements, which could allow the attacker to view, add, modify, or delete information in the back-end database.” 

The vulnerability was publicly documented in IBM’s systems under Security Bulletin ID: CVE-2025-0165, with initial publication dated August 29, 2025. 

Remediation Steps 

To address the issue, IBM has released an update that fully mitigates the vulnerability. Customers are strongly urged to upgrade to Watsonx Orchestrate Cartridge version 5.2.0.1 immediately. Recommended remediation steps include: 

1. Backup all relevant configurations and databases prior to patching. 
2. Download the updated version from IBM Fix Central. 
3. Install the patch during a maintenance window to avoid operational disruption. 
4. Conduct post-installation testing, including attempts to inject known SQL patterns in a controlled environment. 
5. Monitor system logs for any signs of exploitation attempts or anomalous SQL activity. 

IBM has not provided any official workarounds or alternative mitigations. 

Defensive Measures 

In addition to applying the update, organizations are advised to: 

• Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with SQL injection detection rules. 
• Enforce least-privilege principles for all database credentials used by Watsonx services. 
• Regularly audit user input mechanisms to ensure that validation routines are in place. 

The exposure of CVE-2025-0165 highlights ongoing challenges in securing complex AI orchestration platforms like IBM Watsonx. Although these platforms offer advanced automation and data integration capabilities, their underlying architecture must be continuously hardened against input-based vulnerabilities such as SQL injection. 

Enterprises relying on IBM Cloud Pak for Data and Watsonx Orchestrate must respond quickly to such advisories. Inaction could result in unauthorized data access or operational downtime, consequences that modern data-driven businesses can ill afford. 

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