CVE-2026-10744 in MQ for HPE NonStop
Summary
by MITRE • 09/18/2026
IBM MQ for HPE NonStop 8.1.0 through 8.1.0.40 could allow an authenticated attacker to cause a denial of service or potentially escalate privileges due to an integer overflow in MQINQ request validation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2026
The vulnerability identified in IBM MQ for HPE NonStop versions ranging from 8.1.0 through 8.1.0.40 represents a critical security flaw rooted in improper input validation within the Message Queue Inquire (MQINQ) API implementation. This specific component is responsible for retrieving attribute values of objects such as queues, channels, and processes within the messaging infrastructure. The core technical issue stems from an integer overflow condition that occurs during the processing of request parameters. When an authenticated user submits a specially crafted MQINQ request containing malformed or excessively large numeric fields, the application fails to properly validate these inputs before performing arithmetic operations. This lack of boundary checking allows values to wrap around beyond their maximum representable limits, leading to unpredictable memory allocation sizes or incorrect buffer calculations within the underlying C++ runtime environment.
From a technical perspective, this flaw is classified under CWE-190, which denotes Integer Overflow or Wraparound vulnerabilities. The absence of rigorous type checking and range validation enables an attacker to manipulate internal state variables in ways that were not intended by the software developers. In many cases, integer overflows can lead to buffer overruns if the calculated size is significantly smaller than expected due to wrap-around behavior, potentially allowing for arbitrary code execution. However, in this specific instance involving IBM MQ on HPE NonStop systems, the primary observed impact manifests as a denial of service condition or privilege escalation. The system may crash when attempting to process the malformed request, resulting in the termination of the queue manager process and halting all message processing capabilities associated with that instance.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on IBM MQ for mission-critical asynchronous messaging. A successful exploitation can lead to a complete service outage as the affected queue manager becomes unresponsive or crashes repeatedly, disrupting communication between distributed applications. Furthermore, if the integer overflow results in memory corruption that allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code within the context of the queue manager process, it could facilitate privilege escalation. Since IBM MQ typically runs with elevated system privileges to manage resources and access sensitive data stores, gaining control over this process provides a significant foothold for further lateral movement or deeper compromise of the underlying operating system infrastructure on HPE NonStop platforms.
This vulnerability aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059, specifically Command Scripting or System Commands if code execution is achieved, and more broadly falls under Initial Exploitation vectors that target application logic flaws rather than network protocol weaknesses. It highlights the importance of robust input validation in enterprise middleware components that are frequently exposed to internal networks where authenticated access might be assumed by malicious insiders or compromised accounts. The existence of such a flaw underscores the risks associated with complex legacy systems and the necessity for rigorous static analysis and fuzzing during software development lifecycles, particularly for components handling high-volume transactional data.
To mitigate this risk, organizations running IBM MQ on HPE NonStop must immediately apply the latest available fix or patch provided by IBM that addresses version 8.1.0 through 8.1.0.40. It is imperative to verify the current build level of all queue managers and ensure they are updated beyond the patched threshold. In addition to applying patches, administrators should enforce strict access controls on MQINQ API calls, ensuring that only authorized service accounts with legitimate business needs can invoke these inquiry functions. Network segmentation strategies should also be reviewed to limit exposure of messaging endpoints to untrusted networks or users who do not require deep administrative privileges. Regular auditing of authentication logs and monitoring for anomalous request patterns involving unusually large parameter values can provide early detection indicators while patching efforts are underway.