CVE-2026-17082 in IBM
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2026
IBM i 7.6, 7.5, 7.4, and 7.3 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to gain elevated privileges due to improper validation of a client-supplied profile name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2026
This vulnerability exists within IBM i operating systems versions 7.6, 7.5, 7.4, and 7.3, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that can be exploited by remote authenticated attackers. The core issue stems from insufficient validation of client-supplied profile names during authentication processes, allowing malicious actors to manipulate profile identifiers and potentially assume elevated system privileges. This weakness directly maps to CWE-264, which encompasses permissions, privileges, and access control vulnerabilities, specifically targeting improper authorization controls within the system's authentication framework.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker who has already established legitimate authentication credentials to manipulate the profile name parameter sent to the system's security services. Through careful manipulation of profile identifiers, the attacker can bypass normal authorization checks that should prevent standard users from accessing administrative functions or elevated privileges. The flaw typically manifests when the system processes user requests without adequately sanitizing or validating the profile name input, potentially leading to privilege escalation scenarios where unauthorized users can execute commands with higher system privileges than originally granted.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to gain access to sensitive system resources, modify critical configurations, and potentially compromise entire system operations. Remote exploitation means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to exploit this flaw, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where IBM i systems may be exposed to untrusted networks. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to move laterally within the system and could potentially lead to complete system compromise, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities or when the system handles sensitive data or critical business functions.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by IBM, implementing network segmentation to limit access to IBM i systems, and monitoring authentication logs for suspicious profile name patterns. System administrators should also review and tighten authorization policies, ensuring that proper access controls are enforced even when processing client-supplied data. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through credential manipulation and abuse of system permissions, making it a significant concern for security teams implementing defensive measures against sophisticated attack vectors targeting enterprise operating systems.