CVE-2026-96119 in IBM
Summary
by MITRE • 10/13/2026
IBM i 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, and 7.6 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to obtain sensitive information or execute arbitrary code on the system due to improper data sanitization by the HTTP Server Administration web application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2026
The vulnerability identified in IBM i operating systems versions 7.3 through 7.6 stems from an insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanism within the HTTP Server Administration web application interface. This component, which is designed to allow system administrators to manage Apache-based web server configurations via a graphical user interface, fails to properly sanitize data provided by authenticated users before processing it for internal operations or subsequent rendering in responses. The core technical flaw lies in the lack of rigorous boundary checks and context-aware encoding when handling specific input fields that are subsequently used in command execution contexts or reflected back into HTML output without adequate escaping. This deficiency creates a pathway for an attacker who has valid credentials to inject malicious payloads, such as cross-site scripting scripts or operating system commands, depending on how the vulnerable parameter is processed by the underlying server infrastructure.
From a technical perspective, this issue represents a classic case of improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command, often categorized under CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command (OS Command Injection). Additionally, if the vulnerability allows for reflected or stored data to be executed within the browser context of other users viewing administrative pages, it may also align with CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (Cross-site Scripting). The attacker leverages these injection points by crafting specific HTTP requests that contain encoded malicious strings. Because the application does not adequately filter or escape special characters such as semicolons, pipes, ampersands, or angle brackets before passing them to system-level utilities or rendering engines, the injected code is interpreted and executed rather than treated as literal data. This failure in sanitization allows the attacker to bypass intended security controls that rely on input validation to prevent unauthorized actions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for remote exploitation by authenticated users. An adversary with legitimate access credentials can exploit these flaws to achieve arbitrary code execution on the underlying IBM i operating system, effectively gaining full control over the server environment. This could lead to the compromise of sensitive data stored within or accessible from the system, including customer information, financial records, and proprietary intellectual property. Furthermore, if cross-site scripting vectors are successfully exploited, an attacker might hijack administrative sessions by stealing session cookies or performing actions on behalf of other users with elevated privileges. The ability to execute arbitrary code means that attackers can install backdoors, pivot to other systems within the network, exfiltrate data, or disrupt service availability through denial-of-service attacks initiated from within the trusted environment.
To mitigate this risk, organizations must immediately apply the latest security patches and updates provided by IBM for their respective versions of IBM i 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, and 7.6. These updates typically include code changes that enforce strict input validation rules and implement robust output encoding mechanisms within the HTTP Server Administration application. In addition to patching, administrators should adhere to the principle of least privilege by ensuring that access to the administration interface is restricted only to essential personnel using strong authentication methods such as multi-factor authentication. Network segmentation strategies should also be employed to isolate administrative interfaces from general user-facing networks, reducing the attack surface available to potential intruders who may have compromised lower-privilege accounts. Continuous monitoring of web server logs for anomalous request patterns indicative of injection attempts can further aid in early detection and response efforts aligned with MITRE ATT&CK techniques such as T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter or T1189 Drive-by Client Side Compromise depending on the specific exploitation vector utilized.