CVE-2026-17375 in API Connect
Summary
by MITRE • 11/07/2026
IBM API Connect 10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.12 and 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to obtain sensitive information due to improper authorization. Authorization decisions rely on information supplied by the client, which could allow access to information the user should not see.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2026
The vulnerability identified in IBM API Connect versions ranging from 10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.12 and 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2 represents a critical flaw in the application's access control mechanisms, specifically categorized under CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management or more precisely CWE-862 Missing Authorization. This security defect allows remote authenticated attackers to bypass intended restrictions and access sensitive information that is not authorized for their specific user roles or permissions. The core of the issue lies in how the API gateway processes authorization decisions, which are currently dependent on data supplied directly by the client rather than being validated against a secure server-side state or policy definition.
In a properly secured system, authorization checks must be performed based on immutable server-side records that map user identities to specific resource permissions. However, in this vulnerable implementation of IBM API Connect, the application trusts input parameters provided by the requesting client to determine what data should be returned. This design flaw creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate request headers or payload fields to impersonate users with higher privileges or access resources belonging to other tenants. By altering these client-supplied values, an attacker can trick the system into granting access to confidential API responses that would otherwise remain hidden behind strict authentication and authorization gates.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on IBM API Connect as a central hub for their microservices architecture. Since the flaw affects authenticated users, it does not require unauthenticated network access but rather exploits the trust placed in legitimate session tokens or credentials that have been compromised or manipulated by an insider threat or a user whose account has been taken over via other vectors such as credential stuffing or phishing. The exposure of sensitive data can lead to severe business consequences including regulatory non-compliance with standards like GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS due to the leakage of personally identifiable information or financial records. Furthermore it undermines the integrity of multi-tenant environments where isolation between different customer organizations is paramount for security and contractual obligations.
This type of vulnerability aligns closely with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts which describes adversaries using legitimate credentials to access resources without needing to exploit a technical flaw in authentication but rather abusing the authorization logic associated with those accounts. It also reflects aspects of CWE-639 Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key where an attacker uses their own key or identifier to gain unauthorized access because the system fails to verify that this key is appropriate for the requested action on the target resource. The reliance on client-side information for security decisions violates fundamental principles of secure software design which dictate that all inputs must be treated as untrusted until validated against authoritative server-side policies.
To mitigate this risk, organizations running affected versions of IBM API Connect should immediately apply the latest patches provided by IBM to update their environments to a version where these authorization checks have been hardened. In addition to patching it is crucial for security teams to review existing API gateway configurations and ensure that all sensitive endpoints enforce strict server-side validation of user permissions rather than relying on client-supplied identifiers or roles. Implementing comprehensive logging and monitoring solutions can help detect anomalous access patterns indicative of exploitation attempts such as rapid changes in accessed resources by a single authenticated session. Regular security assessments including penetration testing focused on broken object level authorization will further ensure that similar flaws are identified and remediated before they can be exploited in production environments maintaining the overall resilience of the API infrastructure against sophisticated cyber threats.