CVE-2026-16692 in IBM
Summary
by MITRE • 08/13/2026
IBM i 7.6, 7.5, 7.4, and 7.3 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to cause a denial of service due to a stack-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2026
This vulnerability exists within IBM i operating systems version 7.6, 7.5, 7.4, and 7.3, representing a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw that can be exploited by remote authenticated attackers. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the system's processing routines, allowing maliciously crafted inputs to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. Such buffer overflow conditions occur when programs write data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially corrupting program execution flow and leading to unpredictable behavior.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the manipulation of input parameters through authenticated network connections, where the attacker must possess valid credentials to exploit the vulnerability. The stack-based nature indicates that the overflow specifically targets the program stack memory area where local variables and return addresses are stored. When an attacker successfully triggers this condition, they can overwrite critical stack metadata including return addresses, thereby gaining control over program execution flow or causing the targeted process to terminate abruptly.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability directly enables denial of service conditions that can disrupt critical business operations, particularly affecting system availability and data processing capabilities. The authenticated requirement reduces the attack surface compared to unauthenticated vulnerabilities but still represents a significant risk to organizations relying on IBM i systems for mission-critical applications. The potential for remote exploitation across network boundaries makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where system uptime is essential.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow classification and maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1499.004 for endpoint denial of service and T1566.001 for phishing attacks that could lead to credential compromise. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying official IBM security patches, implementing network segmentation controls, and monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns. Additional protective measures include restricting network access to privileged services, enabling intrusion detection systems, and conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments of affected systems.
System administrators should prioritize patch management procedures and establish continuous monitoring protocols to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches in enterprise environments and highlights the necessity of robust input validation mechanisms throughout system architectures. Organizations must also consider implementing application-level controls and access restriction policies to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities while awaiting official security updates from IBM.