CVE-2026-8636 in Datacap
Summary
by MITRE • 06/22/2026
IBM Datacap 9.1.7, 9.1.8, and 9.1.9 and IBM Datacap Navigator 9.1.7, 9.1.8, and 9.1.9 allows an attacker to retrieve user passwords and cryptographic keys from memory. Attacker can use the same keys to decrypt password, gain access to the application and access sensitive data in the database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2026
This vulnerability affects IBM Datacap versions 9.1.7 through 9.1.9 and IBM Datacap Navigator versions 9.1.7 through 9.1.9, representing a critical memory disclosure flaw that enables attackers to extract sensitive authentication credentials and cryptographic keys from application memory. The vulnerability stems from inadequate memory management practices where password hashes and encryption keys remain accessible in memory even after authentication processes complete, creating persistent exposure windows for malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper handling of memory segments containing user credentials and cryptographic material during application runtime. When users authenticate to the IBM Datacap system or Navigator interface, the system stores authentication tokens, password hashes, and encryption keys in memory without sufficient protection mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness through memory scraping techniques or by leveraging privilege escalation methods that allow them to access the memory space of the running processes. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-200 which describes exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor, and specifically aligns with CWE-459 which addresses incomplete cleanup of sensitive data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential theft, as attackers who successfully extract cryptographic keys can decrypt sensitive database information, bypass authentication mechanisms entirely, and gain persistent access to confidential business data. The compromised credentials may include not only user passwords but also system-level encryption keys that protect documents, metadata, and other sensitive information within the Datacap environment. This creates a cascading security risk where initial memory scraping leads to complete system compromise and unauthorized data access.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including memory protection mechanisms, regular application patching, and enhanced monitoring of memory access patterns. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1003 for credential dumping and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, making it a critical target for security operations teams to detect and prevent. Recommended defensive measures include deploying memory protection software, implementing strict access controls on application processes, regularly updating to patched versions of IBM Datacap and Navigator, and conducting thorough security assessments of memory handling practices within the application architecture. Additionally, organizations should consider network segmentation and monitoring to detect unauthorized memory access attempts that could indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.