CVE-2026-96012 in Db2 Mirror for i
Summary
by MITRE • 10/12/2026
IBM Db2 Mirror for i 7.4, 7.5, and 7.6 is vulnerable to privilege escalation. An authenticated attacker could craft a malicious request that bypasses additional authorization and input validation checks to execute malicious code. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to obtain elevated privileges on the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2026
The identified vulnerability in IBM Db2 Mirror for i versions 7.4, 7.5, and 7.6 represents a critical security flaw centered around improper access control mechanisms that facilitate privilege escalation. This specific weakness allows an authenticated attacker to bypass additional authorization layers and input validation checks within the application logic. By crafting a malicious request tailored to exploit these gaps in verification processes, the adversary can execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges on the underlying system. The core technical failure lies in the insufficient separation of duties or inadequate enforcement of least privilege principles during specific administrative or data manipulation operations, where the software fails to properly validate whether the user possesses the necessary rights for the requested action before proceeding with execution.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-269, which denotes Improper Privilege Management, and specifically relates to scenarios where an actor is able to escalate their privileges beyond what was originally granted by the system administrator or initial authentication process. The exploitation vector typically involves manipulating parameters within API calls or database queries that are not adequately sanitized or checked against role-based access control lists. This failure in input validation allows malicious payloads to slip through standard security filters, leading directly to CWE-20, Improper Input Validation. The ability to execute code with higher privileges effectively compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the entire database environment, as the attacker gains a foothold that can be leveraged for further lateral movement or data exfiltration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential to compromise the core infrastructure managed by IBM Db2 Mirror for i. Once an attacker achieves elevated privileges, they are no longer restricted to their initial user permissions and may access sensitive financial records, customer information, or proprietary business logic stored within the database. This escalation can lead to complete system takeover, allowing the modification of critical configuration files, installation of persistent backdoors, or disruption of service availability through destructive commands. In enterprise environments relying on Db2 for mission-critical operations, such a breach undermines trust in data integrity and compliance with regulatory standards that mandate strict access controls and audit trails.
To mitigate this risk, organizations must prioritize the immediate application of vendor-provided security patches and updates to bring all instances of IBM Db2 Mirror for i 7.4 through 7.6 up to the latest secure version. In addition to patching, implementing network segmentation can help isolate database servers from direct internet exposure or untrusted networks, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. It is also advisable to enforce strict role-based access control policies, ensuring that users operate with only the minimum permissions required for their daily tasks. Regular auditing of user activities and monitoring for anomalous behavior patterns associated with privilege escalation attempts can provide early detection capabilities. Furthermore, integrating this vulnerability into threat modeling exercises under frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK, specifically mapping it to techniques involving unauthorized access or execution on local systems, ensures that defensive strategies remain aligned with current adversary tactics.