CVE-2026-95695 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE • 10/14/2026
IBM WebSphere Application Server - Liberty 20.0.0.12 through 26.0.0.10 could allow a remote attacker to bypass security restrictions due to incorrect authorization.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2026
The vulnerability identified in IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty versions ranging from 20.0.0.12 through 26.0.0.10 represents a critical flaw in the application server's access control mechanisms, specifically categorized under CWE-862 which denotes Missing Authorization. This defect allows an unauthenticated or unauthorized remote attacker to bypass security restrictions that are intended to protect sensitive resources and administrative functions within the Liberty runtime environment. The core of this issue lies in the incorrect implementation of authorization checks during request processing, where the server fails to properly validate whether the requesting entity possesses the necessary privileges to access a specific resource or execute a particular operation.
From a technical perspective, WebSphere Application Server Liberty relies on a modular architecture that utilizes security realms and role-based access control policies to manage user permissions. In this affected version range, there is a logical error in how these policies are applied to certain endpoints or internal services. When a request arrives at the server, the authorization module does not consistently enforce the defined roles against the requested action. This oversight creates a gap where an attacker can craft specific HTTP requests that exploit the misconfigured logic, effectively tricking the application into granting access without requiring valid credentials or sufficient privilege levels. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at the infrastructure layer, meaning it affects all applications deployed on the vulnerable Liberty instance unless explicitly mitigated by external controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it directly compromises the confidentiality and integrity of data hosted within the application server. An attacker who successfully exploits this authorization bypass can gain unauthorized access to administrative consoles, internal APIs, or sensitive business logic that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. This could lead to a complete compromise of the underlying system if the Liberty instance runs with elevated privileges. Furthermore, since WebSphere is often used in enterprise environments for mission-critical applications, such a breach could facilitate further lateral movement within the network, data exfiltration, or the deployment of malicious code that persists on the server infrastructure.
This vulnerability aligns with several tactics defined by the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to Initial Access and Privilege Escalation. It falls under techniques such as Valid Accounts (T1078) when exploited using stolen credentials, or more critically, it represents a flaw that allows access without valid accounts if authentication is bypassed entirely due to the authorization failure. The lack of proper enforcement also relates to Improper Access Control (TA0004), highlighting the importance of rigorous testing and validation in security configurations.
To mitigate this risk, organizations running IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty must immediately apply the latest available fix or update provided by IBM for their specific version within the affected range. It is essential to verify that all instances are patched to a version beyond 26.0.0.10 where these authorization checks have been corrected and hardened. In addition to patching, administrators should review their security configurations to ensure that defense-in-depth strategies are in place, such as implementing network-level access controls via firewalls or reverse proxies to restrict exposure of administrative interfaces to trusted IP addresses only. Regular auditing of access logs can also help detect any potential exploitation attempts before they result in a full compromise.