CVE-2026-17110 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 execute arbitrary commands and obtain sensitive information due to improper privilege management.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2026
This vulnerability affects IBM i operating systems across versions 7.3 through 7.6, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands and access sensitive information. The root cause lies in improper privilege management within the system's authorization mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious actors who have legitimate authentication credentials to escalate their privileges beyond intended boundaries. This weakness fundamentally undermines the principle of least privilege that should govern all enterprise systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from flawed access control decisions within the IBM i environment where legitimate users can exploit misconfigurations in privilege handling to gain elevated system access. Attackers with valid login credentials can leverage this flaw to execute commands with higher privileges than their account normally permits, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-276 which addresses improper privilege management and privilege escalation issues, specifically targeting the failure to properly enforce authorization boundaries.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations relying on IBM i systems for critical business operations. The remote execution capability means attackers do not need physical access or local system presence to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. Successful exploitation could result in data breaches, system corruption, unauthorized access to sensitive corporate information, and potential disruption of business continuity. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations and significant financial impact from unauthorized data access or system compromise.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch application from IBM as the primary defense mechanism, combined with network segmentation to limit attack surface exposure. System administrators must conduct thorough privilege reviews to ensure least privilege principles are enforced, implementing mandatory access controls and monitoring for unusual privilege escalation activities. Additional protective measures include enhanced logging and audit capabilities, network intrusion detection systems, and regular security assessments. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication and privileged access management solutions to reduce the impact if credential compromise occurs. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper privilege management as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including those referenced in the ATT&CK framework for privilege escalation techniques.