CVE-2026-17078 in IBM
Summary
by MITRE • 08/13/2026
IBM i 7.6, 7.5, 7.4, and 7.3 could allow a remote attacker to cause a denial of service due to resource exhaustion.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2026
This vulnerability affects IBM i operating systems versions 7.6, 7.5, 7.4, and 7.3, presenting a significant security risk that can be exploited remotely to trigger denial of service conditions through resource exhaustion. The flaw resides in the system's handling of certain resource allocation mechanisms that fail to properly validate or limit incoming requests, allowing malicious actors to consume excessive system resources such as memory, CPU cycles, or file descriptors. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which categorizes resource exhaustion issues as a critical weakness in software systems. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates over network connections without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can reach the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the system's failure to enforce proper resource limits during processing of specific request patterns or data inputs. When an attacker crafts malicious requests that exploit the resource management flaws, the system becomes unable to allocate necessary resources for legitimate operations while simultaneously consuming available resources at an unsustainable rate. This creates a cascading effect where normal system functions become degraded or completely unavailable, as the system's core resources are depleted by the malicious activity. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-770, which addresses the allocation of resources without proper limits or bounds checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire system availability and business continuity. Organizations running affected IBM i versions face risks of extended downtime, loss of productivity, and potential financial losses due to the unavailability of critical business applications that depend on these systems. The resource exhaustion can affect not only individual applications but also the underlying operating system itself, making recovery operations complex and time-consuming. This vulnerability particularly impacts enterprise environments where IBM i systems serve as foundational platforms for mission-critical applications.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper rate limiting mechanisms, establishing resource quotas, and deploying network-level controls to monitor and restrict suspicious traffic patterns. System administrators should apply available security patches from IBM as soon as they become available, while also implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual resource consumption patterns. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit exposure by restricting access to vulnerable services and implementing connection limits. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499, which addresses resource exhaustion attacks through defensive measures including proper system configuration and access controls. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and maintain updated incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts effectively.